Average And Total Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism states that the quality of conscious experience is important; indeed it is the basis of its consequentialist approach to ethics. However, it is unclear what it is that is supposed to be maximized: average happiness or total happiness. Two alternative answers to this problem are provided by average and total utilitarianism.
Read more about Average And Total Utilitarianism: Total Utilitarianism, Average Utilitarianism
Famous quotes containing the words average and/or total:
“But the whim we have of happiness is somewhat thus. By certain valuations, and averages, of our own striking, we come upon some sort of average terrestrial lot; this we fancy belongs to us by nature, and of indefeasible rights. It is simple payment of our wages, of our deserts; requires neither thanks nor complaint.... Foolish soul! What act of legislature was there that thou shouldst be happy? A little while ago thou hadst no right to be at all.”
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881)
“... geometry became a symbol for human relations, except that it was better, because in geometry things never go bad. If certain things occur, if certain lines meet, an angle is born. You cannot fail. It’s not going to fail; it is eternal. I found in rules of mathematics a peace and a trust that I could not place in human beings. This sublimation was total and remained total. Thus, I’m able to avoid or manipulate or process pain.”
—Louise Bourgeois (b. 1911)