Download Chapter 4 of Ethics by Arthur Holmes

BIBLICAL ETHICS
Study Guide for “Utilitarianism” -- Chapter 5 of Ethics by
Arthur Holmes
Utilitarians claim that morality is merely the choosing of the action that will maximize the
benefits for the maximum number of people. What are two reasons Holmes offers to explain
why utilitarianism is the most influential ethical approach in English-speaking philosophy?
1. _
2. _
Holmes is looking for an answer to this question: “Can moral judgments be r________________
to the question of maximizing benefits?”
“Benefits” of an action can be restated as “consequences” of an action, but not exactly …
benefits are desirable consequences, but not all consequences are desirable. How do these
utilitarians decide which consequences are desirable?

Jeremy Bentham
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
John Stuart Mill
What is Bentham’s hedonic calculus?
Quantifying “the good” is futile. Why?
If quantifying “the good” cannot be done, then the alternative must be qualifying “the good.”
What is needed in order to do this?
How does utilitarianism provide what is needed to evaluate and assess the quality of different
types of “good?”
Professor Christopher Ullman
BIBLICAL ETHICS
Is utilitarianism too complex an ethical approach to be used by the general population? Why or
why not?
Utilitarians often stress that the greatest ethical goal is the maximum amount of happiness for
the greatest number of people. This creates some questions, however.

Does the sum total of wellbeing or happiness justify ignoring the unequal distribution of
happiness?

How are the rights of minorities guaranteed, if the greatest number of people
experiencing the greatest amount of happiness is the ultimate goal of ethics?
Empiricism turns out to not be an adequate worldview for determining what makes an action
right. The egoist can’t judge between his wants empirically; the utilitarian can’t judge
consequences empirically. What unwarranted tactic is used by both egoists and utilitarians to
solve the inadequacy of empicism? (Clue: use the verb smuggle in your answer.)
Explain Holmes’ statement: “There is more to discrimination against minorities than its
consequences.”
Professor Christopher Ullman
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