WorksheetsLimitations of Utilitarianism in Policy and Rights
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
In a town meeting, the residents are debating a new policy that would allow the government to use private land for public projects if it benefits the majority. Ava argues that this policy violates individual rights, stating that "rights as trumps" should protect individuals from such decisions. Which idea describes "rights as trumps" in this debate about utilitarianism?
Rights are preferences weighed in hedonic calculus
Rights set absolute limits regardless of consequences
Rights emerge only from majority social agreements
Rights can be overridden for greater good outcomes
In a small town, the local government has implemented mandatory vaccination requirements for all residents to combat a recent outbreak of a contagious disease. While this policy aims to protect the community's health and safety, it has sparked a heated debate among residents about personal autonomy and individual rights. Some residents, like Noah, argue that they should have the freedom to choose whether to vaccinate themselves and their children, while others, including Grace, believe that the greater good of public health should take precedence over individual choices. Which policy example illustrates tension between autonomy and the greater good?
Mandatory vaccination requirements
Subsidies for local art museums
Voluntary community service programs
Tax credits for green businesses
In a city council meeting, the members are discussing a new policy aimed at improving public transportation. However, they face challenges in applying the hedonic calculus to evaluate the policy's potential benefits and drawbacks. Why is the hedonic calculus difficult to apply in real policymaking?
It demands unanimous consent from all stakeholders
It forbids using qualitative judgments about values
It requires precise prediction of future consequences
It ignores economic growth metrics entirely
What challenge is highlighted by "quantifying value" for utilitarian decisions in a community where diverse cultural backgrounds influence perceptions of happiness?
Measuring pleasure across diverse cultures and feelings
Comparing tax rates among different jurisdictions
Tracking objective market prices of public goods
Converting emotions into legal rights protections
In a small town, the local government is faced with a decision to build a new factory that promises to create jobs and boost the economy. However, this factory will also lead to pollution that could harm the health of nearby residents. The town council debates the implications of strict utilitarianism in their decision-making process. Which risk can strict utilitarianism introduce into moral decision-making?
Unconditional respect for inviolable rights
Elimination of all trade-offs between policies
Preference for deontological duty-based rules
Justification of harm when net happiness increases
In a small town, the local government decides to implement strict surveillance measures to ensure public safety after a series of incidents. However, some residents feel that their privacy rights are being compromised for the "greater good". How might societal trust be affected when rights are sacrificed for the "greater good"?
Trust remains unchanged due to legal safeguards
Trust erodes and stability can be undermined
Trust only shifts in short-term emergencies
Trust increases because outcomes are efficient
Which historical pattern warns against misuse of utilitarian reasoning?
Development of international trade laws
Eugenics and imperialism rationalisations
Scientific peer review in public health
Universal suffrage movements worldwide
In a corporate board meeting, the executives are discussing the ethical implications of a new cost-cutting strategy. Some members argue that the strategy should be evaluated based on its impact on employee dignity and fairness, while others believe it should be assessed through a strict cost-benefit analysis. What criticism is meant by the "oversimplification of ethics" charge?
Values evaluated through pluralist deliberation
Rules expanded to include dignity and fairness
Morality reduced to spreadsheet-like cost–benefit
Ethics focused too narrowly on procedural justice
Which scenario best reveals the fairness problem for utilitarian policy?
Oliver is selling one person’s home to build a park
Banning single-use plastics citywide
Taxing luxury goods to fund education
Reducing speed limits near schools
In a small town, the local government is faced with a decision to build a new park that will benefit the majority of residents. However, this project requires demolishing a community center that serves a minority group of individuals. Which statement captures the core limitation of utilitarianism in rights conflicts?
It may sacrifice individuals for aggregate welfare
It maximises overall happiness without exceptions
It guarantees protection of minority interests
It prioritises justice and autonomy above outcomes
