Applying Utilitarianism

Which type of Utilitarian would consider the Principle of Utility quantitively, measuring the act by using the Hedonic Calculus to see what would result in the most happiness/least pain, when applying the theory?

• Act

• Rule

Answer explanation

An Act Utilitarian judges each individual moral act separately so there isn’t a clear answer as to what to do in a dilemma.

A Rule Utilitarian would consider moral rules when applying the theory to a situation, including the ____________ principle.

Which type of Rule Utilitarian would never break a rule when applying the theory to a dilemma?

• Strong

• Weak

Answer explanation

They are absolutist and believe rules are what achieve the principle of utility so should be followed strictly to maximise happiness.

Nuclear deterrent is when a country prevents others from attacking them (puts them off) by threatening retaliation with a nuclear weapon

• True

• False

Answer explanation

9 countries possess nuclear weapons intended to deter other nations from attacking them. Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea.

Which issue did Bentham and Mill not write about?

• Nuclear Deterrent

• Animal Experimentation

Answer explanation

This was because they were not invented when they were alive.

HAVING nuclear weapons is ‘____’ according to Act Utilitarianism as the richness, intensity, extent and duration of happiness they bring outweigh the purity and certainty of this happiness.

Answer explanation

However, ACTUALLY USING them would tip the balance the other way.

It is generally accepted which ex-USA president Harry S. Truman applied Act Utilitarianism to his ethical dilemma of whether he should end the war with Japan in 1945 by using the nuclear bomb or not?

• Bill Clinton

• Harry S. Truman

• Ronald Regan

• J.F Kennedy

Answer explanation

Truman had to weigh up the cost in lives (quantity). He reasoned that dropping the atomic bombs would ultimately cost less lives than an invasion and thus ultimately create more happiness. 

_________Rule Utilitarians (such as Mill) could support nuclear deterrent as they allow higher pleasures to develop and remove nations that harm others.

Answer explanation

Mill recognised that sometimes war might be necessary for the greater good. He called war ‘an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things’.

What is meant by animal experimentation for medical research?

• Testing for cures

• Checking safety of medicines

• Studying effects of disease

• All of the above

Answer explanation

·       Over 4 million animals are used in UK experiments each year

·       Mice and fish are the most experimented on animals in the UK

Generally, Act Utilitarianism supports using animals for medical experimentation in theory, though in practice it might be more difficult to allow it.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

In THEORY, animals suffering in experiments to benefit humans would be allowed.

In PRACTICE, the impure nature of the pleasure, the immediate nature of animal suffering, the intensity of animal pain, the uncertainty of finding a cure and the enormous numbers involved mean it is difficult to justify in reality.