Utilitarianism — CCEA Other General Qualification Religious Studies Revision

    This subtopic examines utilitarian ethical theory, focusing on its development from Bentham's act utilitarianism to Mill's rule utilitarianism, and evaluat

    Topic Synopsis

    This subtopic examines utilitarian ethical theory, focusing on its development from Bentham's act utilitarianism to Mill's rule utilitarianism, and evaluating its application to moral dilemmas. Students critically analyse the principle of utility, the hedonic calculus, higher and lower pleasures, and the theory's ability to resolve conflicts between individual and collective welfare.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Utilitarianism

    CCEA
    vocational

    This subtopic examines utilitarian ethical theory, focusing on its development from Bentham's act utilitarianism to Mill's rule utilitarianism, and evaluating its application to moral dilemmas. Students critically analyse the principle of utility, the hedonic calculus, higher and lower pleasures, and the theory's ability to resolve conflicts between individual and collective welfare.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
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    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
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    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    Ethics

    Topic Overview

    Ethics in Religious Studies at CCEA A-Level explores the philosophical and theological foundations of moral decision-making. You will examine key ethical theories—such as Natural Law, Situation Ethics, and Utilitarianism—and apply them to contemporary issues like abortion, euthanasia, and war. The course also delves into the relationship between religion and morality, asking whether moral principles can exist without a divine foundation.

    This topic is central to Religious Studies because it bridges abstract philosophy with real-world dilemmas. By studying ethics, you learn to construct reasoned arguments, evaluate competing viewpoints, and reflect on your own moral framework. It also connects with other A-Level topics, such as the problem of evil and the nature of God, as ethical questions often arise from theological debates.

    Mastering ethics requires critical thinking and precise use of terminology. You will need to memorise key scholars (e.g., Aquinas, Fletcher, Bentham) and their arguments, while also being able to critique them. The CCEA exam expects you to apply theories to specific scenarios, so practice with past paper questions is essential.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Natural Law: Thomas Aquinas' theory that moral principles are derived from human nature and reason, with the primary precept being 'do good and avoid evil'. Secondary precepts (e.g., preserving life) are absolute and cannot be broken.
    • →Situation Ethics: Joseph Fletcher's teleological theory that love (agape) is the only absolute, and actions are right if they produce the most loving outcome. It rejects fixed rules in favour of context.
    • →Utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham's principle of utility—maximise happiness, minimise pain. John Stuart Mill refined this with qualitative distinctions between higher and lower pleasures.
    • →The relationship between religion and morality: The Euthyphro dilemma questions whether something is good because God commands it, or God commands it because it is good. This challenges divine command theory.
    • →Applied ethics: You must be able to apply theories to specific issues like abortion (e.g., Natural Law opposes it as it violates the primary precept of preserving life; Situation Ethics might allow it if it is the most loving outcome).

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Explain the different forms of Utilitarianism
    • Assess the strengths and weaknesses of Utilitarianism

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for accurately distinguishing between act and rule utilitarianism, referencing Bentham and Mill respectively.
    • Award credit for demonstrating critical evaluation of the hedonic calculus, including its practicality and potential for misuse.
    • Award credit for applying utilitarian principles to a specific ethical scenario, showing clear reasoning about consequences.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Always link your evaluation to specific scholars: use Bentham for act, Mill for rule, and Singer for preference utilitarianism to demonstrate deeper knowledge.
    • 💡When assessing strengths, give concrete examples (e.g., medical triage) and explain how utilitarianism provides a clear decision procedure. For weaknesses, focus on justice and minority rights, using the 'tyranny of the majority' criticism.
    • 💡Always define key terms and theories before applying them. For example, in a question on abortion, start by explaining Natural Law's primary precepts and then apply them to the scenario. This shows the examiner you understand the theory.
    • 💡Use scholars' names and specific quotes or ideas. Instead of saying 'some people think...', say 'Aquinas argued that...' or 'Fletcher claimed that love is the only absolute'. This demonstrates depth of knowledge.
    • 💡Evaluate critically. Don't just describe a theory; discuss its strengths and weaknesses. For example, note that Situation Ethics is flexible but can be criticised for being too vague. Examiners reward balanced arguments.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Confusing act and rule utilitarianism, or attributing rule utilitarianism to Bentham.
    • Assuming that utilitarianism always leads to morally repugnant outcomes without considering rule-based safeguards.
    • Misunderstanding the qualitative distinction between higher and lower pleasures in Mill's theory.
    • Misconception: Situation Ethics is the same as 'do whatever you want'. Correction: Situation Ethics is not antinomian; it is guided by the single absolute of agape love, which requires careful reasoning about what is most loving in each situation.
    • Misconception: Natural Law is purely religious. Correction: While Aquinas was a Christian theologian, Natural Law is based on reason and can be understood by anyone, regardless of faith. It argues that moral laws are discoverable through human nature.
    • Misconception: Utilitarianism always leads to selfish decisions. Correction: Utilitarianism is about maximising overall happiness, not just your own. It can require self-sacrifice if that produces greater good for the majority.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •A basic understanding of philosophical arguments, such as the difference between deontological and teleological ethics.
    • •Familiarity with key religious concepts, especially Christian teachings on morality, as many ethical theories are rooted in Christian theology.
    • •Critical thinking skills: the ability to analyse arguments and construct reasoned responses.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Hedonic calculus
    • Rule utilitarianism
    • Preference utilitarianism

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