Strengths and Weaknesses of Utilitarianism

What does Clarke suggest about Utilitarianism linking morality with the pursuit of happiness?

• It is unreasonable

• It would receive popular support

• It is irrelevant

• It is outdated

Answer explanation

Strength of Utilitarianism- attractive concept. Clarke “It seems reasonable to link morality with the pursuit of happiness…this would receive popular support”.

What does Bowie suggest about happiness?

• It is objective

• It is the same for everyone

• It is subjective

• It is irrelevant

Answer explanation

Weakness- can't be measured accurately. Bowie “if human beings don’t have the same idea of what gives them pain or pleasure, then the premise on which Utilitarianism is built on is severely weakened”.

What does the Principle of Utility lead to according to Clarke?

• Economic reforms

• Social reforms

• Political reforms

• Educational reforms

Answer explanation

Strength- led to "Divorce and Abortion Acts of 1969"

What does Sarah K Tyler say when criticising Utilitarianism?

• Every action out of good will results in good consequences

• Not every action done out of good will results in good consequences

• Good intentions always lead to good outcomes

• Actions are irrelevant to consequences

Answer explanation

Weakness- It gives no credit for a person’s motivation when acting but focuses solely on the outcome. Sarah

What does Anscombe say about Bentham and Mill?

• They understand the concept of pleasure

• They ignore the concept of pleasure

• They notice the difficulty of the concept of pleasure

• They don't notice the difficulty of the concept of pleasure

Answer explanation

Weakness- everyone finds pleasure in different things and not all pleasure is equal. e.g reading an hour of Shakespear is not the same as playing an instrument for an hour as the latter requires more skill and intellect.

What is a criticism of the Hedonic Calculus?

• It is too simple

• It is too time consuming

• It is too flexible

• It is too rigid

Answer explanation

Weakness- its impossible to act quickly in an emergency for example and impossible to predict the long-term consequences of an action.

What does utilitarianism prioritize which is considered as a universally attractive concept?

• Individual rights

• Economic growth

• Well-being of individuals and society

• Political power

Answer explanation

Strength- Utilitarianism prioritizes the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.

What is a potential issue with Act Utilitarianism?

• It is too lenient

• It can justify immoral acts

• It is too strict

• It is too vague

Answer explanation

Weakness- slavery and gang rape might be seen to benefit the majority and be justified, when they should simply always be wrong

What does the utilitarianism suggest about special relationships?

• They are prioritized

• They are sacrificed

• They are ignored

• They are irrelevant

Answer explanation

Weakness- it fails to consider we have certain duties towards others. e.g. a mother’s duty to protect her child. Rachels “in practice, none of us is willing to treat all people as equals”.

One strength of utilitarianism?

• It is rigid

• It is flexible

• It is outdated

• It is irrelevant

Answer explanation

Strength- It ensures we are not ‘ruled’ by oppressive and absolutist traditions.