Consequentialism - Some Difficulties for Utilitarianism

8 important questions on Consequentialism - Some Difficulties for Utilitarianism

What are difficulties in Utilitarianism?

1. It seems like a very demanding theory where it's hard to meet its standards.
2. Using the principle of utility as a decision procedure would probably decrease the amount of good we do (we would spend too much time deliberating our motivations).
3. A consistently utilitarian lifestyle would be one of great and constant self-sacrifice.

Utilitarians insist we distinguish between what?

A decision procedure and a standard of rightness.

What is a standard of rightness?

The standard of rightness says that an action is right if and only if it is optimific.
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

Utilitarianism cannot make room for supererogation. What is supererogation?

Actions that are 'above and beyond the call of duty'.

What is vicarious punishment?

It is an example of wartime, which targets innocent people as a way to deter the guilty (such a tactic often backfires, but it sometimes can be extremely effective: you might stop terrorists from their dirty work by abducting their relatives).

What is rule consequentialism?

The view that an action is morally right just because it is required by an optimific social rule.

What is an optimific social rule?

A rule that meets the following condition: if (nearly) everyone in a society were to accept it, then the results would be optimific.

What are the three steps to see if a rule is an optimific rule?

1. Carefully describe the rule.
2. Imagine what a society would be like if just everyone had accepted the rule.
3. The ask: will that society be better off with this rule than with any competing rule?

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo