Utilitarianism


	Utilitarianism
	Advantages Requires no special knowledge to understand it- it is a commonsense theory It seems natural to follow- avoid pain and maximise pleasure It is straight forward and is therefore easy to understand Preference utilitarianism creates the important principle of being an impartial observer- standing in someone else's shoes It relates to actions that can be observed in the real world It is a teleological theory- natural to lookat the consequences of an action It is important to have the greatest happiness for the greatest number	Disadvantages It is impossible to determine the consequences of an action it might take years to discover the consequences of an action THere is no protection for the minority Bentham would allow an evil majority to prevail All pleasures are different - eating a chocolate bar and having a child It can advocate injustice It ignores the importance of duty It is unclear- maximise total or average happiness? It is too impersonal What about pain that is good for us? It is impossible to seek own pleasure and do what is right
	Evaluation Although there are many disadvantages, the advantages are also very important. Whether utilitarianism is a good or a bad theory is for you to decide.

Requires no special knowledge to understand it- it is a commonsense theory
It seems natural to follow- avoid pain and maximise pleasure
It is straight forward and is therefore easy to understand
Preference utilitarianism creates the important principle of being an impartial observer- standing in someone else's shoes
It relates to actions that can be observed in the real world
It is a teleological theory- natural to lookat the consequences of an action
It is important to have the greatest happiness for the greatest number

Although there are many disadvantages, the advantages are also very important. Whether utilitarianism is a good or a bad theory is for you to decide.

Get Revising