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Year 8

Teleology and utilitarianism

I can apply utilitarian ethics to scenarios as a way of demonstrating knowledge of teleological ethics.

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Year 8

Teleology and utilitarianism

I can apply utilitarian ethics to scenarios as a way of demonstrating knowledge of teleological ethics.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Teleological ethics focuses on the outcomes or consequences of actions rather than the actions themselves.
  2. Utilitarianism aims to produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
  3. The good is equated with happiness and actions are considered right if they lead to more happiness than pain.
  4. Utilitarianism can be critcised, e.g., it is difficult to calculate how much happiness an action would produce.

Keywords

  • Teleogical ethics - ethical theories that focus on the outcomes or consequences of an action

  • Greatest good - the idea that actions should aim to produce the most happiness for the most people

  • Jeremy Bentham - an 18th-century philosopher and social reformer who developed utilitarianism

  • Utilitarianism - an ethical theory that focuses on achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people

Common misconception

Utilitarianism does not argue that any action is acceptable as long as it makes the majority happy.

Utilitarianism considers both the positive and the negative outcomes to determine which action produces the best overall consequences for the greatest number of people.


To help you plan your year 8 religious education lesson on: Teleology and utilitarianism, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask students to practice applying utilitarianism by creating their own dilemmas.
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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The study of right and wrong is known as .
Correct Answer: ethics, Ethics
Q2.
What is the meaning of 'deon' in 'deontology'?
virtue
Correct answer: duty
happiness
choice
Q3.
Which of these is an example of deontological ethics?
choosing to act based on the consequences of the action
Correct answer: following rules or duties, regardless of the outcomes
making a decision that will make everyone happy
doing what feels right in the moment
Q4.
argued that you should always act according to the rule that you would want everyone else to follow.
Correct Answer: Kant, Immanuel Kant, kant, immanuel kant, Emmanuel Kant
Q5.
Why did Kant believe that people should never break promises?
because it leads to personal gain
Correct answer: because it undermines trust and respect for others
because it can improve social relationships
because it is a way to avoid discomfort
Q6.
Which of the following best describes Kant's concept of the categorical imperative?
an action is only right if it brings about the best consequences
Correct answer: an action is right if it is done out of personal duty, regardless of the outcome
an action is right if it brings happiness to the greatest number of people
an action is right if it is universally accepted by society

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word 'telos' mean in ethical theory?
the intention behind an action
Correct answer: the end goal or purpose of an action
the rules we must follow
the feelings we experience during an action
Q2.
Which of the following decisions are examples of a teleological approach?
deciding to tell the truth because it is the right thing to do
Correct answer: donating money to a charity because it helps improve the lives of others
following a rule that says you must always be honest
Correct answer: choosing to stay quiet to avoid getting into trouble
Q3.
Which of the following best explains utilitarianism?
making decisions based on following rules, regardless of the outcome
Correct answer: choosing actions that result in the greatest good for the greatest number
focusing on the intentions behind actions, rather than their consequences
always acting in a way that benefits oneself, even if others are harmed
Q4.
Put the steps below in the correct order for applying utilitarianism.
1 - identify what options you have
2 - predict the outcomes for each action
3 - weigh the happiness gained against the pain
4 - choose the greatest good for the greatest number
Q5.
A city must decide whether to build a new park. According to utilitarianism, what should the main consideration when making the decision be?
the amount of money the city will spend
Correct answer: the number of people who will enjoy the park and benefit from it
whether the park follows the city's existing rules and regulations
whether the decision is made by elected officials
Q6.
A criticism of utilitarianism is that it can be difficult to calculate the exact amount of an action will cause.
Correct Answer: good, Good, happiness, Happiness

Additional material

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