Utilitarianism - Revision

To revise the material on Utilitarianism

Key Words ‘Mix and Match’

• With this activity you must be able to define all the key words on the sheet (these must all be incorporated into your exam)

• You then must find key words which relate to each other in threes. Write these in your own notes.

‘Self Assessment’

• On this table you must mark your essay in accordance with the mark schemes in front of you.

• • Who has got the best mark in your

group and why?

• Read that persons essay

Perfect Essay Structure

• In your groups, move the card sort in order of what you think would give the perfect essay structure.

• Copy this into your own notes

How does the picture relate?

• Look at each picture on your sheet. How does this picture relate to the topic of utilitarianism?

Key Words – MAKE THEM MATCH

• 1. Teleological Criteria

• 2. Consequentialist• 3. Instrumental Value• 4. Intrinsic Value • 5. Principle of Utility• 6. Hedonistic Ethical

Theories• 7. Hedonic Calculus• 8. Act Utilitarianism

• 9. Strong Rule Utilitarianism

• 10. Weak Rule Utilitarianism

• 11. Harm Principle• 12. Preference

Utilitarianism• 13. Deontological

Approaches• 14. Prima Facie

Obligations

Exemplar Essay

• Take a copy of the exemplar essay – read through it and highlight any parts which you have missed in your own homework essay

Part (i) & (ii) Essay Structure

• Read through the laminated sheets in pairs, then see if you can explain all the key scholars/concepts on the sheet

Homework

• Utilitarianism• i) Outline the important features of

Utilitarianism. (21 marks)• ii) Comment on the view that the

weaknesses of Utilitarianism outweigh its strengths. (12marks)

Recurring Issues...• (i)• Have a paragraph at beginning which mentions

teleological/consequentialist/instrumental and intrinsic value

• CONTEXT• Act Utilitarianism is based on psychological hedonism• Was a move away from religious understandings of right

and wrong• Act Utilitarianism could potentially lead to incidents such

as gang rape. It does not necessarily ‘allow’ it...• Rule utilitarianism developed over time, based on past

experience• Strong & weak rule utilitarianism • (ii)• Always answer the question – strengths as well as

weaknesses• Happiness