How does Bentham describe the principle of utility? What are the essential differences between the principle of utility and Kant’s categorical imperative?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer:
Utilitarianism: It considers utility or usefulness as the ultimate criterion of moral worth. For Bentham, that action is right which brings about the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people.
Principle of Utility: The moral rule that one should act so as to maximize the pleasure (or minimize the pain) of those directly affected by one's actions;
PAIN AND PLEASURE ARE THE DETERMINING FACTORS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR.
What motivates us to act is our natural inclination to seek pleasure and decrease pain.
The principle of utility requires that one compare the projected outcomes of possible actions and choose the one that will bring about the greatest increase of pleasure or the greatest decrease in pain for the greatest amount of people.
categorical imperative- an unconditional moral obligation that is binding in all circumstances and is not dependent on a person's inclination or purpose.
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