🦉 National 5 Philosophy

Bentham says happiness matters most. Tea makes me happy. So… everyone must drink tea? Is that philosophy?

Answer recipes

Key idea + How it works + Example

Name the theory's main principle, show how it is applied, then give a clear example.

Utilitarianism: the right act maximises happiness, e.g. lying to save lives.

Criticism + Example + Why it's a problem

State the weakness, show it in an example, then explain why it harms the theory.

It can justify harming a minority if the majority benefit.

Premises → Conclusion + Valid/Sound judgement

Set out premises before the conclusion. Valid = logic works; sound = valid AND true premises.

All cats are mammals; Tom is a cat; so Tom is a mammal.

Build a clear explanation of the theory.

Key idea + How it works + Example

I wrote everything down… even my cake thoughts. Can you make my reply make sense?

4 pieces

For instance, a doctor might choose a treatment that helps more patients overall.

Tea makes me happy, so everyone must drink tea.

Utilitarianism says the right action is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

Consequences of each action are weighed up, for example using Bentham's hedonic calculus.

Perhaps not every thought belongs in my answer…

Short structure practice · not a complete exam answer or an official mark prediction