Utiltarianism

Bentham's Principle of Utility00:00:01

Jeremy Bentham's version of utilitarianism posits that the highest moral principle is to maximize the general welfare, defined as the balance of pleasure over pain for the greatest number.

Cost-Benefit Analysis in Practice00:02:03

The lecture examines how utilitarian logic is applied in modern policy through cost-benefit analysis, using the Philip Morris study in the Czech Republic and the Ford Pinto case as examples of how ethical and economic calculations can lead to controversial outcomes.

The Qualitative Challenge00:08:17

Bentham's assertion that 'pushpin is as good as poetry' reflects a refusal to judge the quality of pleasures. This section explores the potential flaws in that neutral stance and the human intuition that some experiences are inherently worthier than others.

John Stuart Mill's Modification00:10:03

John Stuart Mill attempts to improve utilitarianism by distinguishing between higher and lower pleasures. He argues that those who have experienced both will naturally prefer higher human faculties, famously stating it is 'better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied'.