What Is Rule Utilitarianism

question 27

Multiple Choice

What is rule utilitarianism?

• A) The view that an action is right if and only if it is allowed by the set of rules whose acceptance would bring about the greatest balance of pleasure over pain.
• B) The view that an action is right if it produces the greatest balance of pleasure over pain, counting everyone's happiness equally, unless it violates one or more universal obligations.
• C) The view that an action is right only if it abides by the rules of utility, which specify which actions produce the most happiness for everyone.
• D) The view that an action is right if and only if it is allowed by the moral rules of the actor's society, since those rules have evolved over time to maximize society's total happiness.

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Definitions:

Scientific Method

A systematic process for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge, based on empirical or measurable evidence.

Functional Fixedness

A cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used.

Representative Heuristic

A mental shortcut that involves making judgments based on how well something matches existing prototypes or stereotypes in our minds.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision making, often leading to a solution that is good enough rather than perfect.