TOK ethics 2 - Utilitarianism

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• Utilitarianism
• Ethics in the News 
• Ethics knowledge questions 

Homework 

Make the Edpuzzle on Peter Singer's TED talk: The why and how of effective altruism. 

How would you formulate 'the main point' of Peter Singers TED talk on effective altruism?

Consequentialism / Ulititarianism

The greatest Happiness for the greatest Number.

Bentham and Mill 

If a doctor has to choose between saving the life of 1 patient who is really ill with Corona or saving the lives of 10 who are moderately ill, what would be the most ethical choice according to a utilitarianist?

1. Saving the first one who comes in.
2. Saving the 1 very ill one.
3. Saving the 10.
4. Saving none.

If there is a shortage of face-masks, who should get them according to a utilitarianist?

1. The first ones to buy them.
2. People who pay most.
3. Doctors & nurses.
4. Equal division in the population.

What are the problems of utilitarianism?

Problems of Utilitarianism

• How do we measure happiness?
  
• We cannot always predict the outcome of our actions.
  
• A public, not a personal ethical code?
  

What are some current ethical dilemma's you can think of?

Upload a screenshot of an ethical dilemma in the news.

What would a utilitarianist do in case of.... ?

some TOK questions on ethics 

• If moral claims conflict, does it follow that all views are equally acceptable?
• Are there situations where a lack of knowledge is an excuse for unethical behaviour?
• Do political leaders and officials have different ethical obligations and responsibilities compared to members of the general public?
• Do researchers have different ethical responsibilities when they are working with human subjects compared to when they are working with animals?

What have you learned today?

Homework

Tomorrow subject choice day.

If you haven't made last weeks homework, make it.  

Next week vacation 😀.