Revision Questions

Utilitarianism

In which of the following cases would you adopt a Utilitarian position?Explain what you would do and why?

1. During the Second World War, all German officers had to swear an oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler. Lieutenant Colonel Claus von Staufenberg made an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Hitler in July 1944. Was he right to do so? Was Hitler right to have him shot?

2. A priest hears the confession of an undetected murderer, who may well kill again. Should the priest tell the police?

3. Would you condemn an innocent man to death if you knew that his execution would restore law and order?

In which of the following cases would you adopt a Utilitarian position?Explain what you would do and why?

1. Would you like President Truman, have authorised the use of atomic bombs against Japan to end the Second World War?

2. If statistics prove that wearing seatbelts reduces the number of deaths in car accident, is the government right to force us to wear one?

3. Mother Theresa, Louis Pasteur and Joe Bloggs (an ex-convict) are in a boat. The boat is sinking> Who should drown to save the others?

Short answer questions

1. Why is there a conflict between Bentham’s Utilitarianism and justice?

2. Do you think that an intellectual’s life is qualitatively superior to that of a fool?

3. How would you distinguish between the music of Mozart and that of the Beatles Would you say that one involves a higher pleasure than the other?

Criticisms

1. Discuss 2 of the main weakness’ of Utilitarianism

2. What do you think are the most appealing features of Utilitarianism?