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Line 1: − + − Modern criticism of utility includes a discussion of quantification of happiness. How much does certain happiness 'count' when measured against certain pains? Is it acceptable to invade the privacy of one terrorist in order to ensure that he does not attack innocent persons, and do them pain? Utility would say yes. Is it acceptable to kill a suspected terrorist - who might be an innocent civilian - in order to prevent this person from doing theoretical damage to innocent civilians? Based on the argument, utility may also say yes. + − This involves what Jeremy Bentham, noted utilitarian, called the hedonistic calculus. One would, according to Bentham, measure the pleasure of certain actions against the pleasure of other actions. For example, would it be more pleasurable to read a philosophy book, or to go out drinking and cavorting? Bentham argued that the philosophy book would create more pleasure in the long run, especially when measured against the pains associated with heavy alcohol intake. This highlights the main issue with the inherent contradictions of hedonism.+ − + − "Utility" is defined as the good to be maximized. Different thinkers have further defined it as happiness, well-being or pleasure. The idea of utilitarianism as a moral code was first thought up by 18th century reformer and philosopher [[Jeremy Bentham]]. He believed that, "nature has put man under the governance of two sovereign masters: pleasure and pain." Thus, he concluded that good is whatever it is that brings on the greatest happiness. His belief was passed on by others after him.+ + + + + + + + − +
no edit summary
Utilitarianism is a hedonistic moral principle that one should act so as to minimise the net suffering caused by an action.
Utilitarianism is a philosophical principle which calls for actions to be judged on their usefulness (or magnitude of reward) to society or select individuals.
Jeremy Bentham, one of utilitarianism's early proponents, called the process of determining the most useful possible action the hedonistic calculus. One would, according to Bentham, measure the pleasure of certain actions against the pleasure of other actions. The problems of such a calculus include the feasibility of interpersonal utility comparisons, the weighting of utility through time, and the "artificial" utility gained not from actual actions but from, for example, avoiding risk. The theoretical person which nonetheless succeeds in undertaking such a computation is said to be a [[rational actor]].
==Utilitarianism and utility==
Utility has been accused of supporting the idea that the ends justifies means, when the ends adds to the overall general utility. Put in simple terms, utilitarianism says to do anything that provides greater benefits than costs.
"Utility" is defined as the good to be maximized. Different thinkers have further defined it as happiness, well-being or pleasure. The idea of utilitarianism as a moral code was first thought up by 18th century reformer and philosopher [[Jeremy Bentham]]. He believed that, "nature has put man under the governance of two sovereign masters: pleasure and pain." Thus, he concluded that good is whatever it is that brings on the greatest happiness. His belief was passed on by others after him.
==Utilitarianism in the social sciences==
Across the social sciences, utilitarianism is encountered in the guise of rational choice theories. In [[economics]], it is the foundation of [[marginal analysis]]. In these academic contexts, utilitarianism loses nearly all of its positive side, and serves only as a tool for the analysis of social behavior. The partial exception to this lies in the field of [[welfare economics]], where some economists have tried to apply modern forms of the "hedonistic calculus" to issues of public choice.
==Critiques of utilitarianism==
Utility has been accused of supporting the idea that the ends justifies means, or that only material means count in the "hedonistic calculus." Most critiques of utilitarianism rest on a very narrow definition of utility as derived from completely private, completely tangible [[goods]] alone. This does not reflect the way in which utilitarianism is typically presented in contemporary social science. For example, utilitarian models have been developed whereby actors maximize altruism and salvation, among other goods.
[[Category:Philosophy]]
[[Category:Philosophy, Economics]]