Ethics Discussion Project: Applying Utilitarianism

Each group will be assigned one of the cases for discussion.

1. List what you think are the two or three most plausible options for action in this situation.

2. Make a list of the people or groups of people who are affected by this decision.

3. For each person (or group) and for each possible action, try to decide how well (or how badly) that person or group would fare. What effect would each possible action have on that person’s happiness. Try to actually assign a quantitative estimate of this Remember to take into account:

a. How many people are in the group you are considering (if it is more than one)

b. How much each person (or the average group member) will be affected

c. If there is some significant degree of uncertainty about how things will go, then estimate the probability of the different outcomes, and adjust your figures accordingly.

4. Add up the numbers to determine which action best promotes ‘the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

5. Discuss whether this procedure seems to be a sensible one for determining what it is right to do.