Utilitarianism: For the Greater Good - Moral and Ethical Philosophy Series | Academy 4 Social Change
Utilitarianism: Lesson Plan
Topic
Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that defines the good in terms o f overall happiness. Actions that decrease pleasure and increase suffering are good. Actions that decrease pleasure and increase pain are bad.
Possible subjects/classes Time needed
● Philosophy ● Politics 30-45 minutes ● Contemporary Issues
Video link: https://academy4sc.org/topic/utilitarianism-for-the-greater-good/
Objective: What will students know/be able to do at the end of class?
Students will be able to... ● Define the Greatest Happiness Principle. ● Give two criticisms of utilitarianism. ● Apply utilitarianism to a contemporary ethical issue.
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
Deontology, Virtue ethics, Supererogatory
Materials Needed
Worksheet, Singer articles, Applied ethics articles, Wireless Philosophy video, paper, drawing utensils
Before you watch
Ask students to imagine they have been given one million dollars. Have students think about the best way to spend the money, and call on some to share with the class.
While you watch
Utilitarianism: For the Greater Good - Moral and Ethical Philosophy Series | Academy 4 Social Change
1. Who created the Greatest Happiness Principle? 2. What is another name for utilitarianism? 3. What is one contemporary issue that has been considered from a utilitarian perspective?
After you watch/discussion questions
1. What are some actions that you can take to maximize the good? 2. Should motivations and reasons be considered when determining the rightness of an action? 3. How might a utilitarian respond to the criticism that the theory is too demanding?
Activity Ideas
● Many utilitarians, including Peter Singer, find the theory useful to apply to charitable donations and the ways in which we spend our money, especially as citizens of developed nations. Have students read one of the two following articles and discuss how Singer might respond to how they choose to allocate their one million dollars and how his argument relates to the criticism that utilitarianism is too demanding. ○ The Singer Solution to World Poverty ○ Good Charity, Bad Charity ● Put students into groups of four and have them read an article that applies utilitarianism to a contemporary ethical issue. Here are some examples: ○ Animal welfare ○ Death penalty (Section 3 of this article) ○ Euthanasia After reading, have each group reconstruct the utilitarian argument in their own words, develop one objection they have to it, and share with the class . ● Have the class watch the Wireless Philosophy video on the Utility Monster (start at 0:55). After watching, have students draw/create their own “Utility Monster”, explaining what it is the make their Utility Monster better at converting utility than others (for example: perhaps the utility monster is like the cookie monster who likes cookies so much better than everyone else that no one else gets to eat cookies, or perhaps Chad from our video likes cars so much better than everyone else that he should get to own all the cars in the world).
Sources/places to learn more
Utilitarianism: For the Greater Good - Moral and Ethical Philosophy Series | Academy 4 Social Change
1. Crashcourse. “Utilitarianism: Crash Course Philosophy #36.” Youtube, 21 Nov 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a739VjqdSI&t=121s . 2. Driver, Julia. Ethics: The Fundamentals. Blackwell Publishing, 2006. 3. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. “Calculating Consequences: The Utilitarian Approach to Ethics.” Santa Clara University, 1 Aug 2014, https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/calcul ating-consequences-the-utilitarian-approach/. 4. Singer, Peter. Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press, 2011. 5. Wireless Philosophy. “PHILOSOPHY - Ethics: Utilitarianism, Part 1.” Youtube, 26 Sep 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvmz5E75ZIA .