Assignment 4B: Questions from the Video

Please answer the following as related to the "Does the Ends Justify the Means?" video: (Note: You may have to type in the username ETHICS, all caps, and the password, ETHICS, all caps, to access the video.)

1. I think the most important thing about being a utilitarian is that you judge actions in accordance with their_________________________. Things are not just "right" or "wrong" in-themselves irrespective of the difference they make in the world. I think its important that we make a difference in the world and not that we stick by some abstract principle which might say, for example, "Always tell the truth," yet this might have disastrous consequences for everyone. I see no point no in sticking by a principle without paying attention to the consequences of what you're doing.
2. The utilitarian movement was founded in the late 18th century by the English philosopher _________________________.
3. Bentham's central proposal was deceptively simple. He wrote nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereignmasters: _________________________ and _________________________. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do. Bentham proposed designing all laws and social policies with one goal: maximize pleasure for society and minimize the amount of pain.Show no favoritism to individuals but seek only to bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest _________________________.
4. The second great figure in the utilitarian movement was the 19th century philosopher _________________________. Mill's father was a friend and follower of Bentham.
5. As he recovered he also diverged from the ideas of Bentham. For Bentham there was only one standard of value whether its calledpleasure, happiness, or utility: it can be _________________________. Mill complicates the picture by arguing that there are higherand lower pleasures. _________________________matters. In his words it is better to be a human being dissatisfied, than a pig satisfied. Better to be Socrates dissatisfied, than a fool satisfied.
6. In most people's view finding any _________________________ measure of pleasure and pain is a difficult problem. The problem becomes vastly more difficult when you try to compare one person's pleasures or pains with those of another.