THE UTILITARIAN

THEORY
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. explain the basic idea of Utilitarianism;
2. apply the basic idea of Utilitarianism to specific moral issues.
SOMETHING TO PONDER

What will give you ultimate happiness in

life? Why? Explain your answer
JEREMY BENTHAM (1748 - 1832) 

“The said truth is that it is the greatest happiness of

the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.”

“The greatest happiness of the greatest number is

the foundation of morals and legislation.”
Jeremy Bentham, COLLECTED WORKS (1843)
THE PRINCIPLE OF UTILITY

Morality is not about pleasing God, nor is it about being

faithful to abstract rules. Rather, morality is about making the
world as happy as possible.
Bentham believed in one ultimate moral principle, namely, the
Principle of Utility. This principle requires us, in all
circumstances, to produce the most happiness that we can.
JOHN STUART MILL (1806–1873) 
THE PRINCIPLE OF UTILITY

Morality is no longer conceived of as faithfulness to some

divinely given code or some set of inflexible rules.
The point of morality is the happiness of beings in this world,
and nothing more; and we are permitted—even required—to do
whatever is necessary to promote that happiness. This was a
revolutionary idea.
What do you think about The Principle of Utility?
Do you find it a kind of radical idea?
Explain your answer.
EUTHANASIA
MARIJUANA

What are the pros and cons of marijuana,

according to Utilitarianism?
NONHUMAN ANIMALS