Utilitarianism: For the Greater Good - Moral and Ethical Philosophy Series |

Academy 4 Social Change

Utilitarianism: Lesson Plan

Topic

Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that defines the good in terms of

overall happiness. Actions that decrease pleasure and increase suffering are
good. Actions that decrease pleasure and increase pain are bad.

Possible subjects/classes Time needed

● Philosophy
● Politics 30-45 minutes
● Contemporary Issues

Video link:

https://academy4sc.org/topic/utilitarianism-for-the-greater-good/

Objective: What will students know/be able to do at the end of class?

Students will be able to...

● Define the Greatest Happiness Principle.
● Give two criticisms of utilitarianism.
● Apply utilitarianism to a contemporary ethical issue.

Key Concepts & Vocabulary

Deontology, Virtue ethics, Supererogatory

Materials Needed

Worksheet, Singer articles, Applied ethics articles, Wireless Philosophy video,

paper, drawing utensils

Before you watch

Ask students to imagine they have been given one million dollars. Have students
think about the best way to spend the money, and call on some to share with the
class.

While you watch

 Utilitarianism: For the Greater Good - Moral and Ethical Philosophy Series |
Academy 4 Social Change

1. Who created the Greatest Happiness Principle?

2. What is another name for utilitarianism?
3. What is one contemporary issue that has been considered from a
utilitarian perspective?

After you watch/discussion questions

1. What are some actions that you can take to maximize the good?
2. Should motivations and reasons be considered when determining the
rightness of an action?
3. How might a utilitarian respond to the criticism that the theory is too
demanding?

Activity Ideas

● Many utilitarians, including Peter Singer, find the theory useful to apply to
charitable donations and the ways in which we spend our money,
especially as citizens of developed nations. Have students read one of the
two following articles and discuss how Singer might respond to how they
choose to allocate their one million dollars and how his argument relates
to the criticism that utilitarianism is too demanding.
○ The Singer Solution to World Poverty
○ Good Charity, Bad Charity
● Put students into groups of four and have them read an article that applies
utilitarianism to a contemporary ethical issue. Here are some examples:
○ Animal welfare
○ Death penalty (Section 3 of this article)
○ Euthanasia
After reading, have each group reconstruct the utilitarian argument in their
own words, develop one objection they have to it, and share with the class.
● Have the class watch the Wireless Philosophy video on the Utility Monster
(start at 0:55). After watching, have students draw/create their own “Utility
Monster”, explaining what it is the make their Utility Monster better at
converting utility than others (for example: perhaps the utility monster is
like the cookie monster who likes cookies so much better than everyone
else that no one else gets to eat cookies, or perhaps Chad from our video
likes cars so much better than everyone else that he should get to own all
the cars in the world).

Sources/places to learn more

 Utilitarianism: For the Greater Good - Moral and Ethical Philosophy Series |
Academy 4 Social Change

1. Crashcourse. “Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy #36.” Youtube, 21

Nov 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a739VjqdSI&t=121s.
2. Driver, Julia. Ethics: The Fundamentals. Blackwell Publishing, 2006.
3. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. “Calculating Consequences: The
Utilitarian Approach to Ethics.” Santa Clara University, 1 Aug 2014,
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/calcul
ating-consequences-the-utilitarian-approach/.
4. Singer, Peter. Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
5. Wireless Philosophy. “PHILOSOPHY - Ethics: Utilitarianism, Part 1.” Youtube,
26 Sep 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvmz5E75ZIA.