Administrative Information
| Title | Utilitarianism |
| Duration | 60 |
| Module | A |
| Lesson Type | Lecture |
| Focus | Ethical - Ethics Fundamentals |
| Topic | Utilitarianism |
Keywords
None.
Learning Goals
- Learner understands the principle of utility.
- Learner understands the concept of consequence.
- Learner understands the 'greatest happiness principle'.
Expected Preparation
Learning Events to be Completed Before
None.
Obligatory for Students
- Gensler, H. J. (2017). Ethics: A contemporary introduction. Routledge. CH 10 Consequentialism (Utilitarianism chapter)
- Crash Course Philosophy #36 - YouTube
Optional for Students
- Utilitarianism: Bentham and Rashdall. Robert Shaver. In Roger Crisp (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of the History of Ethics. Oxford University Press. pp. 292 (2013)
- Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics. Chapter 5 Utilitarianism
References and background for students
None.
Recommended for Teachers
None.
Lesson materials
- [ BME Slides in English]
Instructions for Teachers
Outline
- Introduction - short reflection on previous ethical frameworks (5 min)
- Introducing consequentialism (5 min)
- Utilitarianism
- Principle of utility (10 min)
- Calculating consequences (5 min)
- How to evaluate an action (5 min)
- Example + discussion (5 min)
- Critics of utilitarianism (10 min)
- Act utilitarianism vs. Rule utilitarianism (15 min)
- Closing remarks (5 min)
Acknowledgements
The Human-Centered AI Masters programme was Co-Financed by the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union Under Grant №CEF-TC-2020-1 Digital Skills 2020-EU-IA-0068.