Visualising Utilitarianism: An Introduction

A visual teaching, learning and revision companion for A Level Philosophy, Religious Studies, IB Philosophy and introductory undergraduate Ethics.

Visualising Utilitarianism
This introductory resource has been developed to support the teaching and study of Utilitarianism through conceptual visualisation, structured explanation and carefully sequenced slide builds.

Designed for teachers, students and tutors, the resource aims to help learners move beyond memorisation towards genuine philosophical understanding.

Rather than relying primarily on philosopher biographies, stock imagery and bullet-point summaries, the resource uses visual models, explanatory frameworks and conceptual mapping to help students understand:
• what utilitarian theories claim
• why they make those claims
• how moral decisions are justified
• how moral reasoning can be evaluated
• how different forms of utilitarianism compare with one another

The resource is intended to complement teaching, textbooks, primary-source reading and independent study rather than replace them.

Contents

This introductory resource includes:
• The Grounding Problem Tree Visualisation Methodology
• Hedonistic Act Utilitarianism
• Consequentialism
• Hedonism
• Moral Equality
• Bentham’s Quantitative Utilitarianism
• The Principle of Utility
• The Utility Calculus
• Mill’s Appraisal of Bentham’s Utilitarianism
• Mill’s Qualitative Utilitarianism
• Higher and Lower Pleasures
• Mill’s Proof of Utilitarianism
• The Experience Machine
• Preference Utilitarianism

The resource includes conceptual diagrams, explanatory frameworks and visual models designed to reveal philosophical theories step-by-step.

Distinctive Features

Visualising Philosophy
The central aim of the resource is to help students see philosophical ideas.
Abstract concepts are presented through:

• conceptual maps
• visual models
• explanatory diagrams
• structured comparisons
• progressive slide builds

rather than relying solely on text-heavy explanations.

Meaningful Animation
Animations are used pedagogically rather than decoratively. Theories and conceptual relationships are revealed progressively to help students follow philosophical ideas one stage at a time.

Suitable for
• A Level Philosophy
• A Level Religious Studies
• IB Philosophy
• Access and Foundation Courses
• Introductory Undergraduate Ethics
• Tutors and independent learners

Green Lotus Education
This resource forms part of the** Visualising Philosophy Project:** an effort to develop visual frameworks and conceptual tools that help students understand, compare and evaluate philosophical ideas more effectively.

Additional resources are available on:
• Utilitarianism
• Kantian Ethics
• Aristotelian Virtue Ethics
• Normative Ethics (Bundle)