Learning Objectives:
- Ability to comprehend what the
Hedonic Calculus is
- Ability to list and explain the 7
criteria of the Hedonic Calculus
- Ability to apply a case study to the
Hedonic Calculus
===================================================================
What is the Hedonic Calculus?
A tool by which one can measure pleasure and pain -
|
Hedonic Calculus |
| # |
7 Criteria |
Questions Asked |
| 1 |
Intensity |
How intense/strong is the pleasure
and emotional satisfaction? |
| 2 |
Duration |
How long will the pleasure last? |
| 3 |
Certainty |
How certain am I that pleasure will
occur? |
| 4 |
Propinquity |
How soon will the pleasure occur?
How near is it? |
| 5 |
Fecundity |
How likely is it that this
experience will cause more pleasure in the future? |
| 6 |
Purity |
Is there any pain that accompanies
this pleasure? |
| 7 |
Extent |
How many people will be affected? |
To increase your understanding of Bentham's Hedonic
Calculus, (
http://www.utilitarianism.com/hedcalc.htm , Penguin Dictionary
of Philosophy) calculate whether or not you should take a particular action based
on the Hedonic Calculus.
Pleasure and pain range from -10 to +10
| Sample Scenario:
You just got engaged and started college shortly after the
engagement. You meet a young, single, philosophy professor that sweeps you
off your feet. You discuss philosophical issues after class in his
office and occasionally in the cafeteria The prof invites you to an
out-of-town philosophy conference/lecture. You sense the prof is attracted to
you too, though attraction has never been discussed.
Should
you attend with him/her or should you go to the dinner with
your fiancé(e), as s/he had invited you ?
To find out what you should do, fill out the following Hedonic
calculator to determine the net pleasure and pain.
- on
a scale of -10 to +10 |
 |
| |
7 Criteria |
Yes,
attend conference
with prof |
Go to a local dinner with
fiancée |
| 1 |
Intensity |
|
|
| 2 |
Duration |
|
|
| 3 |
Certainty |
|
|
| 4 |
Propinquity |
|
|
| 5 |
Fecundity |
|
|
| 6 |
Purity |
|
|
| 7 |
Extent |
|
|
|
Totals |
|
|
Classroom activity
Complete a Hedonic Calculus for one of the following
sample scenarios: Rate each item on a scale of -10 to +10.
- Soliciting help on a take-home exam;
- You had promised to meet a friend for dinner, but
then had a better offer. Should you cancel the dinner
date?
- You had promised to meet several friends for dinner,
but then you had a better offer to do something else.
Should you not show up at dinner?
- Having an affair
- Make up your own scenario
| # |
Yes ,
if I do it I'll get X amount of pleasure
(points) |
No, if I don't do
the action & decide to do something else, I'll get X amount of
pleasure.
(points) |
7 Criteria |
Questions Asked |
| 1 |
|
|
Intensity |
How intense/strong is the pleasure
and emotional satisfaction? (Will the pleasure be offset by the
pains of remorse? Or might there be regret that a
different action wasn't taken? |
| 2 |
|
|
Duration |
How long will the pleasure last?
(Might a drug help now but make you feel bad later?) |
| 3 |
|
|
Certainty |
How certain am I that pleasure will
occur?
(For example, what are the odds that gambling will bring
pleasure?) |
| 4 |
|
|
Propinquity |
How soon will the pleasure occur?
How near is it? |
| 5 |
|
|
Fecundity |
How likely is it that this
experience will cause more pleasure in the future?
Will staying on a diet today or studying today bring me
additional pleasure in the future? |
| 6 |
|
|
Purity |
Is there any pain that accompanies
this pleasure? |
| 7 |
|
|
Extent |
How many people will be affected? |
|
|
|
Total Score |
Discussion: Questions
Are utilitarians ethical people?
What difficulties
did you run across when filling out the calculus?
Would you be
"happy" if most of your friends were utilitarians?
Is the Hedonic Calculus an absolute waste of time?
Do you mentally perform some version f the Hedonic Calculus when
deciding what to do? |
