⚖️Learn Utilitarianism Basics
Walk through utilitarianism from Bentham's calculus to Mill's rebuttal to rule utilitarianism, then use the framework to evaluate a real policy decision in writing.
Phase 1Bentham's Calculus and the Greatest Happiness Principle
Meet Bentham, the calculus, and the greatest happiness principle
Ethics tried to become a math problem
6 minEthics tried to become a math problem
Bentham ran pleasure through seven dials
6 minBentham ran pleasure through seven dials
Only consequences matter — nothing else counts
6 minOnly consequences matter — nothing else counts
Your mother counts exactly as much as a stranger
7 minYour mother counts exactly as much as a stranger
Phase 2Act Utilitarianism Meets Uncomfortable Dilemmas
Run act utilitarianism across five uncomfortable dilemmas
Pulling the lever is the easy part
6 minPulling the lever is the easy part
Same math, suddenly monstrous
7 minSame math, suddenly monstrous
Break any promise if it moves the number
6 minBreak any promise if it moves the number
Torture one for the joy of the crowd
7 minTorture one for the joy of the crowd
Let your kid drown to save two strangers
7 minLet your kid drown to save two strangers
Phase 3Mill's Rebuttal and the Rule Utilitarian Turn
Weigh Mill's higher pleasures against rule utilitarianism
Mill said some pleasures don't count the same
7 minMill said some pleasures don't count the same
Stop asking 'this act' — ask 'this rule'
7 minStop asking 'this act' — ask 'this rule'
A theory that erases the self doing the acting
8 minA theory that erases the self doing the acting
Happiness is the wrong currency anyway
7 minHappiness is the wrong currency anyway
Phase 4Write a Utilitarian Verdict on a Real Policy
Evaluate a real policy using utilitarian reasoning
Judge one real policy, in writing, today
25 minJudge one real policy, in writing, today
Frequently asked questions
- What does utilitarianism actually mean in simple terms?
- This is covered in the “Learn Utilitarianism Basics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What's the difference between act and rule utilitarianism?
- This is covered in the “Learn Utilitarianism Basics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- Why did Mill invent 'higher pleasures'?
- This is covered in the “Learn Utilitarianism Basics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What are the strongest objections to utilitarianism?
- This is covered in the “Learn Utilitarianism Basics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do you use utilitarianism to judge a real policy?
- This is covered in the “Learn Utilitarianism Basics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
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