Final answer:
Williams objects to utilitarianism on the bases of it being a form of ethical relativism, context-bound, potentially requiring actions against intuition, and not considering the quality of pleasure. Utilitarianism, a consequentialist theory, is critiqued for oversimplification of morality, with key figures like Mill advocating for judging pleasure qualitatively as well as quantitatively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Williams critiques utilitarianism on several grounds. He objects that utilitarianism is a form of ethical relativism, implying that what is right can change based on the situation to maximize pleasure for the greatest number. He believes that morality is context-bound, meaning that the moral rightness of an action is dependent on the specific circumstances rather than following a universal principle. Moreover, Williams argues that utilitarianism sometimes requires a person to do what they intuitively know is wrong, thereby going against one's moral intuition regarding what is right and what is wrong. Lastly, Williams highlights that utilitarianism should consider the quality of pleasure, not just the quantity, as J.S. Mill posited that qualitative differences in pleasure are important when making moral judgments.
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory advocated by philosophers such as Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. This theory bases the moral value of an action on its outcome, with the aim of maximizing overall happiness or utility. Bentham and Mill evaluate actions by the intensity, duration, certainty, and extent of pleasure or pain they produce. Specifically, Mill recognized that there could be qualitative distinctions in pleasure, which factor into the utilitarian calculus, whereas Bentham focused purely on the quantitative aspects.
Pluralists like Sir William David Ross critique utilitarianism and deontology for over-simplifying moral decisions, while philosophers such as Anscombe challenge the secular underpinnings of modern moral philosophy. Such criticisms highlight the complexities of moral theories in reflecting our actual moral experiences.