ETHC 3P82 Lecture 1: Introduction to Theories
19 Aug 2015
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Theory assumes that we are all good people. Difficult to measure happiness, hard to quantify other aspects, how. Some benefits and costs are impossible to measure (i. e. how much do you assess? is a human life worth?) Can"t also accurately predict the costs and benefits of an action. Can all goods be traded for equivalent. Proposed 2 common sense criteria: distinction between intrinsic and instrumental goods intrinsic priority, distinction between needs and wants. Most flexible method is to measure actions and goods in terms of monetary equivalent. Sole focus on consequence, motivation not considered don"t always just look at the end. Issues of justice: greatest good for the greatest number may involve unfair treatment of some. Issues of rights: greatest good for the greatest number may involve infringing on people"s personal rights: two types. Act utilitarianism: act to promote the general welfare in any given situation.
