Editing Utilitarianism (section)

== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
Utilitarianism is understood through '''Calculation''' and '''Aggregation'''.

'''1. The Hedonistic Calculus''':
Bentham believed that morality could be treated like math. To decide if an action is right, you measure:
* '''Intensity''': How strong is the pleasure?
* '''Duration''': How long does it last?
* '''Certainty''': How likely is it to happen?
* '''Propinquity''': How soon will it occur?
* '''Extent''': How many people are affected?

'''2. Higher vs. Lower Pleasures (Mill's Refinement)''':
Mill disagreed with Bentham that "Pushpin is as good as poetry."
* '''Lower Pleasures''': Physical pleasures (eating, sleeping, sex).
* '''Higher Pleasures''': Intellectual and moral pleasures (reading, friendship, helping others).
Mill argued that "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied."

'''3. Impartiality''':
In utilitarianism, your own happiness counts exactly as much as anyone else's. You cannot "Favor" your family or yourself. You must look at the world from the perspective of an "Ideal Observer" who wants the total sum of happiness to be as high as possible.

'''The Trolley Problem''': A classic utilitarian test. A trolley is headed for 5 people. You can pull a lever to switch it to a track with 1 person. A utilitarian would say you MUST pull the lever (1 death is better than 5).
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