Module 6: Economic and utilitarian theories
  Lecture14: Utilitarianism
 

QUESTIONS AND EXERCISE

  • What are the main features of utilitarianism?

  • Distinguish between individual and universal happiness?

  • Give two instances of how maximization of happiness may not have the same implications as minimization of unhappiness?

  • What is negative utility? Read more on the subject of end of ideology and identify the major strengths of this idea.

  • In what sense is utilitarianism empirical?

  • What are the major limitations of utilitarianism?

  • What is the relationship between utilitarianism and the modern day idea of social justice?

  • Define social engineering and write an essay on the merits and demerits of the idea of social engineering?

  • Using the ideas of Bentham, state on what factors pleasure and pain depend.

  • What are major concerns of utilitarians for development and progress of society?