Preference utilitarianism
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Preference utilitarianism (also known as preferentialism) is a form of
Description
Unlike classical utilitarianism, in which right actions are defined as those that maximize pleasure and minimize pain, preference utilitarianism entails promoting actions that fulfil the interests (i.e., preferences) of those beings involved.
The theory, as outlined by R. M. Hare in 1981,[4] is controversial, insofar as it presupposes some basis by which a conflict between A's preferences and B's preferences can be resolved (for example, by weighting them mathematically).[5] In a similar vein, Peter Singer, for much of his career a major proponent of preference utilitarianism and himself influenced by the views of Hare, has been criticised for giving priority to the views of beings capable of holding preferences (being able actively to contemplate the future and its interaction with the present) over those solely concerned with their immediate situation, a group that includes animals and young children. There are, he writes in regard to killing in general, times when "the preference of the victim could sometimes be outweighed by the preferences of others". Singer does, however, still place a high value on the life of rational beings, since killing them does not infringe upon just one of their preferences, but "a wide range of the most central and significant preferences a being can have".[6]
See also
References
- ^ Peter Singer, Practical Ethics, 2011, p. 14
- ^ Peter Singer, Practical Ethics, 2011, p. 13
- ^ ISBN 978-0-275-97083-3.
- ISBN 978-0-19-824659-6.
- ISBN 978-90-481-2592-0.
- ISBN 978-0-521-43971-8.
External links
- Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter. "Consequentialism: 3. What is Good?". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
- Crisp, Roger. "Well-Being". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
- Theories of Well-Being, in William MacAskill & Richard Yetter-Chappell (2021), Introduction to Utilitarianism.