Teleology and utilitarianism
I can apply utilitarian ethics to scenarios as a way of demonstrating knowledge of teleological ethics.
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
- Teleological ethics focuses on the outcomes or consequences of actions rather than the actions themselves.
- Utilitarianism aims to produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
- The good is equated with happiness and actions are considered right if they lead to more happiness than pain.
- 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...
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.
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Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Ethics: how do we know what is 'good'? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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