Bentham and Kant Compared

Overview

Recall questions on Bentham's consequentialist principle of utility and Kant's deontological duty, how the two differ on the foundations of morality, and where each agrees or conflicts with religious ethics.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is the principle of utility according to Bentham?

   Model answer

   Actions are morally right if they maximise pleasure and minimise pain.

2. 2

   Why is Bentham's ethical theory described as consequentialist?

   Model answer

   Because the morality of an action is determined solely by its outcomes, not by the nature of the action itself.

3. 3

   What does 'fecundity' measure when calculating pleasure?

   Model answer

   The likelihood that the pleasure will be followed by more pleasures of the same kind.

4. 4

   Why is Bentham's utilitarianism described as quantitative?

   Model answer

   Because all pleasures are measured by the same criteria regardless of their nature, there is no qualitative distinction between types of pleasure.

5. 5

   According to Kant, what makes an action morally right?

   Model answer

   It must be done from duty and accord with the categorical imperative.

6. 6

   Why is Kant's ethical theory classified as deontological?

   Model answer

   Because the morality of an action is determined by whether it conforms to moral rules, not by its consequences.

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