Philosophy: Ethics: Utilitarianism vs Deontology
Comparing consequences, duties, and moral decision making
Philosophy: Ethics: Utilitarianism vs Deontology
Comparing consequences, duties, and moral decision making
Philosophy - Grade 9-12
- 1
Define utilitarianism in your own words. Include what it says makes an action morally right or wrong.
Focus on outcomes and overall well-being.
Utilitarianism is the view that an action is morally right if it produces the greatest overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people. It judges actions mainly by their consequences. - 2
Define deontology in your own words. Include what it says makes an action morally right or wrong.
Deontology is the view that an action is morally right if it follows moral duties, rules, or principles. It judges actions by whether they respect those duties, even if the consequences are not ideal. - 3
A doctor has five patients who each need a different organ transplant to survive. One healthy visitor has organs that would save all five patients. Explain how a utilitarian might evaluate harming the visitor, and then explain why many people still reject that action.
Compare total consequences with individual rights.
A utilitarian might notice that harming one person could save five lives, which seems to increase total well-being. Many people still reject the action because it violates the visitor's rights, treats the visitor as a tool, and ignores duties not to murder innocent people. - 4
A student lies to a teacher to protect a friend from getting in trouble. From a deontological point of view, what is one reason the lie might be considered wrong?
From a deontological point of view, the lie might be considered wrong because it violates a duty to tell the truth. The action could be wrong even if it helps the friend avoid punishment. - 5
A city is deciding whether to build a new park or a new parking garage. The park would improve health and happiness for many residents, while the garage would help a smaller number of commuters. Explain how a utilitarian would approach this decision.
Think about who is affected and how much each group benefits.
A utilitarian would compare the likely benefits and harms of each option for everyone affected. The utilitarian would likely support the choice that produces the greatest total well-being, which may be the park if it benefits more people more deeply. - 6
Kant argued that people should be treated as ends in themselves, not merely as means. Explain what this idea means and connect it to deontology.
Think about the difference between respecting a person and using a person.
Treating people as ends in themselves means respecting their dignity, choices, and rights rather than using them only as tools for someone else's goal. This connects to deontology because it focuses on moral duties and principles, not only on good outcomes. - 7
Classify each statement as more utilitarian or more deontological: A. The right action is the one that creates the best overall result. B. Some actions are wrong even when they lead to good outcomes. C. We should choose the policy that helps the largest number of people.
Statement A is more utilitarian because it focuses on the best overall result. Statement B is more deontological because it says some actions are wrong regardless of outcomes. Statement C is more utilitarian because it focuses on helping the largest number of people. - 8
A government considers limiting free speech during a crisis because officials believe it will reduce panic and save lives. Give one utilitarian argument for the policy and one deontological argument against it.
Use consequences for one side and rights or duties for the other side.
A utilitarian argument for the policy is that limiting speech could be justified if it prevents panic and saves many lives. A deontological argument against it is that people have a right to free expression, and violating that right may be wrong even for a useful goal. - 9
Explain the difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism using an example.
Act utilitarianism judges each individual action by whether it produces the best consequences in that situation. Rule utilitarianism supports rules that generally produce the best consequences, such as a rule against lying because trust usually benefits society. - 10
A person returns a lost wallet full of money even though no one would know if they kept it. Explain how a deontologist and a utilitarian might each justify returning the wallet.
The same action can be supported by different ethical reasons.
A deontologist might justify returning the wallet by saying people have a duty not to steal and a duty to respect others' property. A utilitarian might justify returning it by saying honesty increases trust and happiness while theft causes harm to the owner and society. - 11
Choose one major criticism of utilitarianism and explain it in complete sentences.
One major criticism of utilitarianism is that it can seem to justify unfair or harmful treatment of individuals if doing so benefits a larger group. Critics argue that this may ignore rights, justice, and the dignity of each person. - 12
Choose one major criticism of deontology and explain it in complete sentences.
One major criticism of deontology is that strict rules can sometimes lead to harmful consequences. Critics argue that refusing to consider outcomes may make moral decision making too rigid in complex real-life situations.