Philosophy 160
Introduction to Ethics
Handout 7 - Utilitarianism
AUh: an act is right if and only if it maximizes hedonic utility
The hedonic utility of an action is the amount of pleasure it would cause, minus the amount of pain it would cause.
To say that an act maximizes hedonic utility is to say that no alternative to that act has a higher hedonic utility than it has.
Defective Formulations of Utilitarianism:
GHP: an act is morally right if and only if it produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
AUx: an act is morally right if and only if it causes more pleasure and less pain than any alternative.
AUm: an act is morally right if and only if it produces more pleasure than pain.
Promise-to-the-Dead-Man Objection:
Alternatives Hedonic Utilities
a1: keep promise (bury body, etc.) -10
a2: use body for bait +25
a3: let body rot where it is -2
a4: throw body into sea -1
1. If AUh is true, then the grandson is not morally obligated to bury the body.
2. The grandson is morally obligated to bury the body.
3. Therefore, AUh is not true.
Ross's Argument from Promises:
Alternatives Hedonic Utilities
a1: keep promise to A +1000
a2: break promise to A +10011. If AUh is true, then I should break the promise to A.
2. It's not the case that I should break the promise to A.
3. Therefore, AUh is not true.
The Organ Harvest:
Alternatives Hedonic Utilities
a1: Kill Digit; transplant organs; save the other four +2500
a2: Treat Digit; don’t do the transplants; the other four die -2000
1. If AUh is true, then it is morally permissible for the doctor to kill Digit in order to save the others.
2. It is not morally permissible for the doctor to kill Digit in order to save the others.
3. Therefore, AUh is not true.