Study Questions

  1. Sidwick claims that moral notions like “right” and “ought” cannot be defined. Do you think this is true? Why or why not? If not, how do you think these terms might be defined?
  2. Sidwick suggests that utilitarians should extend their moral concern to all beings capable of feeling pleasure and pain as well as to future generations. Do you think this is correct? Why or why not?
  3. Sidwick raises the important question of whether the utilitarian should aim at producing the greatest total amount happiness on the whole or the greatest average happiness per person. Which do you think is correct and why?
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