1. Engage with the text:
Using at least one quote from one of the required readings, briefly explain the ethical
theory of utilitarianism.
Ethical theories have core ideas, principles, and assumptions. For any ethical theory,
there are objections that can be raised against those core ideas, principles, and
assumptions.
Several objections to utilitarianism are discussed in Chapter 3, Section 3.5
of the textbook, and John Stuart Mill (2017/1863) discusses 8 objections in
Utilitarianism (in Chapter 3 of the textbook, the text can be found under “Primary
Sources” and the objections under the section, “Objections and Replies”).
Choose one of these objections and briefly explain the core idea in your own words.
2. Reflect on the theory:
Present a scenario (real or imagined) in which a committed utilitarian would probably
make one choice, but someone who finds this objection compelling would probably
make a different choice. (In other words, put yourself in the mind of someone making
that objection, and you’re imagining a scenario in which that person would likely make a
certain ethical judgment but a utilitarian would make a different ethical judgment.)
3. Reflect on yourself:
In your view, does considering this situation strengthen and support the objection (thus
showing a weakness to utilitarianism), or does it help strengthen utilitarianism by
showing how a utilitarian could respond to that objection?