Readings from the books Justice : what’s the right thing to do by Michael sandal and Justice : a reader by michael sandal Answer ALL THREE QUESTIONS. (Plan for about 1 – 1 ½ pages double spaced for each answer.) 1. Explain the seven variables or ‘circumstances’ of Bentham’s felicific or hedonic calculus. Why does Bentham decide to make human happiness a matter of measurement? J-2, p. 13: Seven variables which can measure pleasure and / or pain. Intensity – how intense is pleasure or pain Duration – how long it lasts Certainty / uncertainty – probability it will actually occur Propinquity (remoteness) – how far off into the future is pleasure or pain Fecundity – probability pleasure will lead to other pleasure Purity – probability pain will follow pleasure (no pain following pleasure means more pure of a pleasure) Extent – how many people are affected J-2, p. 10: Bentham talks about measurement Something about being a moral philosophy He measured quality not just quantity, so measuring happiness can help Quantifying happiness is only certain way to measure it. J-1, p. 35: Either way, we make decisions based upon utility J-1, p. 41: talks about “currency” of utilitarianism Humans are governed by two masters: pain or pleasure J-2, p. 9: Quantifying happiness helps standardize morality Sparknotes summary for Mill: http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/utilitarianism/ 2. In what way does Mill hold the utilitarian principle to be amenable to proof? How are virtue and other human values incorporated into Mill’s notion of happiness? Explain Mill’s distinction between higher and lower pleasures. J-1, p. 48 J-2, p. 16 (bottom left paragraphs): Utilitarian principle is the end itself; doesn’t lead to anything further; “a priori” (p. 15) Also J-2, p. 31-35 “Virtue”, “noble character”, and “justice”, while not adding individual happiness, add to greater social happiness and well-being Higher pleasure – appeals to “higher faculties”, and given equal access to pleasures people will choose these even if it comes with discomfort. E.g desire to learn, etc. [Look at J-1 for discussion, p. 52.] Another internet resource related to this question: http://s3-euw1-ap-pe-ws4-cws-documents.ri-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/9781138793934/A22014/ethical_theories/Mill’s%20proof%20of%20utilitarianism.pdf 3. What does ‘liberty’ mean in libertarianism? Why does libertarianism hold that taxation for the purposes of economic redistribution is ‘forced labor’? Are there types of taxation that a libertarian might tolerate? J-2, p. 49: liberty is part of definition of equality J-1, p. 60-67: Good discussion on liberty Liberty: liberty to choose and not have others / gov’t infringe on such choice; ownership of self; As long as actions don’t impinge on liberty of others Also discussion on forced labor Taxes (J-1, p. 49): Libertarians only believe in a minimal state: one that enforces contracts, protects private property, and keeps the peace. Libertarians could probably support taxes that go towards such things
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