Give a clear and precise formulation of what it is utilitarians believe make right acts right.
Explain the distinction between act and rule utilitarianism. Which version of the theory is most plausible?
Explain the distinction between actual and expected consequences.
What is classic hedonistic act utilitarianism, and what are the most important strengths and weaknesses of this theory?
What is global consequentialism, and what are the most important strengths and weaknesses of this theory?
John Stuart Mill proposed the following argument for utilitarianism: “No reason can be given why the general happiness is
desirable, except that each person, so far as he believes it to be attainable, desires his own happiness.” Is the fact that people do in
fact desire happiness a reason for thinking that happiness is desirable? If so, is this argument compatible with Hume’s Law? (see
chapter 4).
Philippa Foot asks us to imagine that five patients will die unless they receive new organs from a healthy stranger. From a
utilitarian point of view, it thus seems right to kill one to save five, which seems absurd. How could utilitarians respond to this
objection?
Explain the worry that the utilitarian theory seems to be too demanding.
Explain the distinction between psychological egoism and ethical egoism.
Explain what, if anything, the prisoner’s dilemma can teach us about ethical egoism.
