Two-level utilitarianism

Two-level utilitarianism is a utilitarian theory of ethics according to which a person's moral decisions should be based on a set of moral rules, except in certain rare situations where it is more appropriate to engage in a "critical" level of moral reasoning. The theory was initially developed by R. M. Hare.

Consequentialists believe that an action is right if it produces the best possible state of affairs. In particular, act utilitarianism states that the morally right action is the one which produces the most well-being, whereas rule utilitarianism states that the morally right action is the one that is in accordance with a moral rule whose general observance would create the most well-being.

Two-level utilitarianism combines act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. In terms of two-level utilitarianism, act utilitarianism can be likened to the "critical" level of moral thinking, while rule utilitarianism can be likened to the "intuitive" level.

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