CONSEQUENTIALIST THEORIES

University
California State University
Course
PSY 150 | Introduction to Psychology
Pages

1

Academic year

2023
Author

Jithin Jacob Issac
Views

0

p {margin: 0; padding: 0;} .ft00{font-size:21px;font-family:NimbusSansBold;color:#000000;} .ft01{font-size:18px;font-family:NimbusSansBold;color:#000000;} .ft02{font-size:15px;font-family:OpenSymbol;color:#000000;} .ft03{font-size:18px;font-family:NimbusSans;color:#000000;} .ft04{font-size:18px;line-height:23px;font-family:NimbusSans;color:#000000;} CONSEQUENTIALIST THEORIES Overview  Judge morality by consequences, not inherent right/wrong  Utilitarianism first systematic consequentialist theory (Bentham & Mill)  Fits with cost-benefit analysis and pragmatism Bentham's Utilitarianism  Principle of utility: Maximize overall happiness  Rejects abstract rules, religious justifications  Applicable to individual morality and public policy Hedonic Calculus  Utility quantifiable - multi-dimensional construct  Calculate net pleasure vs pain for each act's consequences  Choose act with best overall net pleasure score Mill's Refinements  Emphasized greatest overall happiness for all  Expanded notion of happiness beyond just pleasure  Distinguished higher and lower pleasures Issues with Utilitarianism  Difficulty quantifying utility  Unrealistic view of human deliberation  Possible tyranny of the majority  Ignores rights, justice, duties In summary, classical utilitarianism aimed to provide an objective, scientific basis formorality by judging actions based on their consequences for overall happiness. Butdifficulties in calculation and limitations of a hedonistic view led to critiques.