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Consequentialist Ethical Theories

Consequentialist Ethical Theories. Egoism : the good is whatever promotes my long-term interests Hedonism : we should pursue pleasures that are not mixed with pain (prudence, justice, knowledge), satisfy natural desires (food, sleep), & avoid vain desires (fame, fashion)

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Consequentialist Ethical Theories

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  1. Consequentialist Ethical Theories • Egoism: the good is whatever promotes my long-term interests • Hedonism: we should pursue pleasures that are not mixed with pain (prudence, justice, knowledge), satisfy natural desires (food, sleep), & avoid vain desires (fame, fashion) • Objection: how can egoism help us resolve ethical conflicts? Epicurus 341-270 BCE

  2. Utilitarianism: we ought to promote the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number • Bentham: the hedonic calculus is based on the intensity, duration, certainty, immediacy, fecundity, purity, & number of people affected • J. S. Mill: the quality of pleasures needs to be considered, determined by competent judges • The morality of an act is different from the person or character responsible for the act J. Bentham(1748-1843) J. S. Mill (1808-73)

  3. Variations of Utilitarianism • Act utilitarianism: we are obligated to do the specific act that produces the greatest amount of happiness (regardless of rules or justice) • Objections: consequence calculation is difficult; besides, this implies that the end justifies the means • Rule utilitarianism: we should follow moral rules that, when acted upon, generally produce the greatest amount of happiness • Objection: what about when rules conflict?

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