Rule Utilitarianism

Overview

Rule utilitarianism is a form of utilitarianism that says an action is right as it conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good.

Key Concepts

Rule Conformity: The rightness or wrongness of an action is a function of the correctness of the rule of which it is an instance.
Greatest Good: The correctness of a rule is determined by the amount of good it brings about when followed.

Historical Background

John Stuart Mill, in his 1863 book "Utilitarianism," defends the concept of rights in terms of utility, suggesting a form of rule utilitarianism[^1^][1].

Strong vs. Weak Rule Utilitarianism

Strong Rule Utilitarianism (SRU): Argues that moral rules should be obeyed at all times and places.
Weak Rule Utilitarianism: Allows for exceptions to rules based on specific circumstances.

Criticisms and Responses

Critics argue that rule utilitarianism may lead to rules that, in certain cases, produce less utility than other possible actions. Proponents respond by emphasizing the overall benefits of rule-following.

References

Wikipedia contributors. (2021). Rule utilitarianism. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:00, January 1, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_utilitarianism