Bentham, Kant and Religious Moral Decision-Making

Overview

Recall questions on Bentham's hedonic calculus and his account of conscience, Kant's universal law and formula of humanity, and where each approach agrees or conflicts with religious moral decision-making.

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 fundamental principle underlies Bentham's utilitarian approach to moral decision making?

   Model answer

   The principle of utility, where actions are judged right or wrong according to their consequences in terms of pleasure and pain.

2. 2

   In the hedonic calculus, what does 'certainty' measure?

   Model answer

   How likely or probable it is that the pleasure or pain will occur.

3. 3

   What does 'fecundity' measure in Bentham's method of calculating moral worth?

   Model answer

   The likelihood that the pleasure will be followed by further pleasures (or pain by further pains).

4. 4

   In the hedonic calculus, what does 'purity' assess?

   Model answer

   The likelihood that the pleasure will not be followed by pain (or that pain will not be followed by pleasure).

5. 5

   How does Bentham explain the origin of conscience?

   Model answer

   As a product of social conditioning rather than an innate moral faculty, it is internalised expectations of praise or blame from society.

6. 6

   What is the basis of Kant's deontological approach to moral decision making?

   Model answer

   Duty and the categorical imperative, where actions are judged by their conformity to universal moral laws rather than their consequences.

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