  The Super-Duper Utilitarianism Quick Sheet
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A What propositions characterize Utilitarianism? (What does Utilitarianism say?)
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 1 The only thing that counts in determining whether an action is right or wrong are the consequences. See B2.
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2 The only consequence that counts is happiness.See B1.
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3 Everyone's happiness must be treated the same. (Impartially, not equally.) See B3.
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B What are the arguments against Utilitarianism?
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1 If happiness is not the only thing that matters in determining right or wrong, we must reject Utilitarianism. Happiness is not the only thing that matters. Therefore, we must reject Utilitarianism.
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Examples: Tragedies (the piano player example) and actions that cause no unhappiness but which we still think are wrong (talking about people behind their back.) These examples are refuted! See C1.
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2 If consequences are not the only thing that matters, we must reject Utilitarianism. Consequences are not the only thing that matters. Therefore, we must reject Utilitarianism.
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Other things that matter: Justice, rights, backward-looking conditions (like promises, contracts, etc.) See C2.
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3 If Utilitarianism is too demanding we must reject it. It is too demanding, therefore we must reject it. No real defense.
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It's too demanding because:
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a It asks us to live at subsistence level.
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b It requires us to give up the projects and activities that give our lives meaning.
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c It asks us to give up personal relationships and to treat everyone impersonally.
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4 If Utilitarianism comes into conflict with common sense morality then we should reject it. It does, therefore we should reject it. See C3.
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C Can we defend against these arguments? Some of them.
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1 The examples given in #1 premise 2 and #2 premise 2 are not real-life examples, so we can dismiss those arguments.
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2 OR, #2 has examples that are ok, but we can additionally defend it by switching to Rule Utilitarianism. Rule Utilitarianism makes rules which should bring about the most happiness for the most people, then says we should follow those rules in all cases, even if sometimes more happiness comes from not following them.
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3 Argument #4 - so what if it conflicts? Why is common sense so good? Utilitarianism is more systematic, and common sense morality does not - doesn't that make it an improvement?
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