‘Explain how Preference Utilitarianism differs from previous forms of Utilitarianism’ (AO1 30 marks)
Preference Utilitarianism is a modern adaptation of the traditional forms of Utilitarianism; it focuses on determining whether an action is morally right or wrong according to how they fit with the preferences with those involved.
Preference Utilitarianism differs from other forms of utilitarianism because it is solely on the individual person’s interest and their preference to how the situation turns out. It concentrates on the maximisation of people’s preferences, whilst taking into account the consequences of that person’s choice and the effect it has on others. Unlike Bentham and Mill’s forms of Utilitarianism which focuses on ‘ought to seek out pleasure and sought to avoid pain’, preference Utilitarianism has no involvement with the intrinsic value (meaning pleasure and happiness) as this is not the focus of Singer’s approach. For example Singer argued that “people have different ideas of what ‘happiness’ is and that some don’t actually choose happiness” therefore he realised that our preferences are more important.
All forms of Utilitarianism including preference are based on the theories of a consequentialist, meaning someone decides if an action is good or bad by the consequences it produces, however in Singer’s approach ‘the best possible consequence equals the best interest’ this means the action would be considered right if the person achieves what they preferred, this is different to Bentham and Mill’s theories as Singer is not considering what increases pleasure and diminishes pain. On the one hand Preference Utilitarianism accepts and involves the ‘principle of utility’ which is the idea that rightness and wrongness is determined by its usefulness, therefore similar to Bentham’s act and Mill’s rule utilitarianism as an outline when making moral decisions. On the other hand preference differs from ‘Rule Utilitarianism’ because they are no absolute rules given in which everyone should follow equally, instead everyone is equal in terms the ability to chose their preferences. Furthermore it contrasts with Bentham’s ‘Act Utilitarianism’ as Bentham created the ‘hedonic calculus’ which was in order to measure the amount of pleasure produced, therefore Singer would argue that pleasure is immeasurable and incalculable, and pleasure shouldn’t matter, suggesting the moral value of any action is determined by the subjective preferences of the people affected by it. For example if my friends were all on diets and would prefer not to eat cake it would be morally right for me to eat the cake without sharing.
The Essay on Outline the Main Principles of Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a teleological theory. Three main philosophers have come up with different types of utilitarianism these being: Bentham, Mill and Singer. Bentham introducing the idea of Act Utilitarianism, Mill adapting the ideas of Bentham and trying improve the flaws he saw with his Rule utilitarianism and Singer with his preference utilitarianism theory. Bentham was hedonist, meaning he was a ...
Richard M Hare was an ethicist who introduced preference utilitarianism involving ideas from Immanuel Kant’s ethical theory. For example Hare’s account involves the logic of what we ‘ought’ to do. Hare argued that in moral making decisions we need to consider our preferences and those of others. He states “equal preferences count equally whatever their content,” he thought people would be happy when they get what they preferred. However what we prefer may clash with others’ preferences, Hare defended his theory saying we need to “stand in some else’s shoes and try to imagine what someone else might prefer” therefore treating everyone equally and impartially, suggesting the right thing to do is to attempt to maximise the chance of preferences so that everyone will be satisfied.
In addition Singer also defended Preference Utilitarianism and suggests we should take the viewpoint of an ‘impartial spectator’ meaning the centre of a concept in an ethical system, yet combined with a broadly Utilitarian approach. For example he should take into account all of the people affected by our actions, these have to be weighed and balanced then we must choose the action which gives the best consequences for those involved.
The Business plan on What are the benefits and shortcoming of only using qualitative techniques to make long term financial decisions?
What are the benefits and shortcoming of only using qualitative techniques to make long term financial decisions? (5%) Qualitative techniques are used to make long-term financial decisions among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with great consistency. The qualitative based decisions are made on experiential knowledge of the various factors involved rather than on monetary measurements, yet they ...
Moreover Singer developed the principle of consideration of preferences or interests acts as a pair of scales meaning everyone’s preferences or interests are weighed equally. Therefore using this example we are able to explain Singers view: killing a person who prefers to live would be wrong and not killing a person who prefers to die is also morally wrong.
Alternatively Singer didn’t suggest that weighing up by preferences will always be successful or should occur every time where a ethical decision should be made, but instead should be the basis for deciding how one should live life, otherwise it would be difficult to decide whose preferences should be considered. Let’s use abortion as an example; Singer suggested the parent might have a clearer preference not to have a handicapped child, a foetus of 18 weeks doesn’t have preferences therefore nothing is weighing against the mother’s preference meaning abortion would be permissible in Preference Utilitarianism. In addition Abortion may be acceptable under Bentham’s ‘Act Utilitarianism’ such as having an abortion because of financial pressures, family member’s needs and work can all be justified under the ‘Hedonic calculus’
In conclusion, Preference Utilitarianism is a more personal form of Utilitarianism, which contrasts with ‘Act and Rule Utilitarianism’. For example an act Utilitarian judges right and wrong according to the maximisation of pleasure and minimisation of pain, a Rule Utilitarian judges right or wrong according to the keeping rules given by the utility principle. However a preference utilitarian judges morals actions according to whether they fit in with the preferences of the individuals involved.
‘Preference Utilitarianism solves the problems that traditional forms of Utilitarianism could not’ (AO2 15 MARKS)
The Essay on Affirmative Action 29
Affirmative Action Color of skin in not relevant in public affairs. Nelson Mandela. In recent times, virtually every great political leader has recognized the truth of affirmative action. But, what is affirmative action one might ask? According to Merriam-Webster s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition: an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority ...
Preference Utilitarianism is a more recent form of Utilitarianism, which focuses on making ethical decisions based upon the person’s preferences and interests whilst taking into account of preferences of others who are involved in the situation, considering their affects. This Form of Utilitarianism provides a more personal approach to moral decisions because it pays attention to the individual.
Preference Utilitarianism solves problems that traditional forms of Utilitarianism could not by taking in to consideration ethical decisions which benefit the best interests of those affected, rather than creating the most pleasure, be it mental or bodily pleasure, and that everyone’s interest must be given an equal consideration. For example; it acknowledges the minorities whereas Bentham’s theory argues that utility is the sole principle that humans ought to live and judge others by. However, Preference Utilitarianism does have its own issues as it is subjective, being based on opinions.
Preference utilitarianism was a theory put forward by a philosopher called Peter Singer who argues that ‘this other version of utilitarianism judges actions, not by their tendency to maximize pleasure or minimize pain, but by the extent to which they accord with the preference of any beings affected by the action or its consequence’. Here singer argues that preference utilitarianism maximises the satisfaction of peoples preferences which requires considerable thought and therefore in any kind of moral reasoning a person must do their best to take account of all the interests and ‘choose the course which brings about the consequences, on balance, for all affected’. This form of preference utilitarianism acknowledges and takes in to consideration the minorities as well as the majority. Furthermore, this differs from Bentham’s theory of modern utilitarianism which argues that utilitarian’s hold the proper cause of an action which maximises utility. For example; the amount of happiness produced. Bentham’s theory of utilitarianism is based upon the principle of utility, where the rightness and wrongness of an action is determined by its utility or usefulness – referring to the amount of pleasure and or happiness caused by the action. This theory focuses on the greater amount of pleasure produced and the majority beings it benefits. He believed that pleasure was the sole good and pain to be the sole root of all evil.
The Essay on ‘Utilitarianism Is Unsatisfactory as a Theory of Ethics
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory coined by an English philosopher who lived during the late 1700’s name Jeremy Bentham. Bentham believed in the principle that human beings should be motivated by pain and pleasure; he said “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure” this meant that every human being’s goal in life should be to pursue pleasure and ...
However, preference utilitarianism brings along with it some of its own issues such as being subjective and opiniated. This is because everyone has different opinions as to what they prefer. Therefore, preference utilitarianism cannot solve all problems and neither can Bentham’s modern form of utilitarianism as both bring problems with themselves.
