Eth 501 Case 2

Utilitarianism is a teological ethical framework that offers a way to analyze the transistor company’s dilemma. Utilitarianism is consequentialist in nature, meaning that the theory only takes in account the consequences of an action to determine if that action is morally right. More specifically, Kay (1997) explains “utilitarian ethics defines morality in terms of the maximization of net expectable utility for all parties affected by a decision or action” (p. X). For example, it would be acceptable to a utilitarian to kill one person if it meant saving two more people. This is in stark contrast with deontological ethics, which prohibits actions that use people as a means to an end.

In contrast with deontology, there is utilitarianism, which is a consequentialist theory. Utilitarianists consider consequences to be an important indicator of the moral value of one’s actions (Rich, 2008). In consequentialist analyses, conclusions about what is right or wrong are based on the consequences (Tanner et al., 2008). Utilitarianism is to promote the greatest good for the greatest amount of people that is possible in situations.

Two different forms of utilitarianism are described in our text. The first is called act utilitarianism. According to Shaw and Barry, act utilitarianism states that we must ask ourselves what the consequences of a particular act in a particular situation will be for all those affected (p.60).

Its general outline is the moral rightness of an action is determined by outcomes. For example, a student was struggling to help an old lady who has fallen on ground while other people do not even care about it and a student had to leave in a hurry. However, he helped her and a lady offered cordial thanks. As the example is illustrated, the act is good if its consequences are good, but if its consequences are bad then the act is wrong. Shaw et al(2013, p. 63) emphasizes that consequentialists determine what is right by weighing the ratio of good to bad that an action will produce. According to consequentialists, the decision of the Dean of Harvard Business School is simply explained as the result of decision which rejected all applicants who attempted to access the information derive a conclusion which Dean Clark observed their belief, principles and it shows making own decisions is always with responsibility for actions. In addition, utilitarianism will be applied on this case because this theory is in contrast with egoism which can be defined by Shaw et al(2013, p. 63) as egoism contends that an act is morally right if and only if it best promotes an agent’s long term interest.’. It means self-interesting is most important key point whether going into action or not. However, Utilitarianism is focused on more about ‘achieving the

Utilitarianism also known as the principle of utility is an ethical theory proposed by early philosophers. This theory implies that actions are only judged by its consequences whether they are good or bad. One should perform a particular action because it will yield the best results for all. This approach also analysis the cost and benefit relationship. The downfall with this theory is that not everyone benefits (Fremgen, 2016).

Utilitarianism is a philosophical theory. It concerns how to evaluate a large range of things that involve choices communities or groups face. These choices include policies, laws, human’s rights, moral codes,

Utilitarianism, the ethical theory that aims at making sure the greatest number of people are happy at any given point. There are four key arguments in Chapter 4 of Barbara Mackinnon’s book Ethics Theory and Contemporary Issues; the principle of utility, quantity and quality of pleasure, evaluating utilitarianism and act and rule utilitarianism. In the first section entitled “The Principle of Utility”, Mackinnon describes the consequentialist principle, the intrinsic good, and how to calculate the greatest amount of happiness. The consequentialist principle explains that “according to utilitarianism, we ought to decide which action or practice is best by considering the likely or actual consequences of each alternative” (53-54).

Utilitarianism is a philosophical view or theory about how we should evaluate a wide range of things that involve choices that people face. Among the

The utilitarian faces many problems because he loses any ability to live a personal life. By this is meant that in making decisions the utilitarian must consider the steps which lead to the highest level of goodness in society. The utilitarian reaches for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Two main aspects dominate the light of utilitarian beliefs. The consequentialist principle explains that in determining the rightness or wrongness of an act one must examine the results that will follow. The utility principle is that you can only deem something to be good if it in itself will bring upon a specific desired state, such as happiness or fulfillment. There are two types of utilitarians: Act utilitarians and Rule

Cost-benefit analysis is defined in the business arena as a tool that helps organizations make critical decisions by adding up all the benefits of making a decision and then subtracting out the costs associated with those decisions. Utilitarianism consists of an ethical theory founded on the principle idea that the best moral action is the one that maximizes happiness for the greatest amount of people. The utilitarian ethical theory, therefore utilizes cost-benefit in its analysis; however, several limitations exist when using this approach.

In chapter 9, I found utilitarianism the most intriguing lesson. It is a theory of ethics that assesses actions based on maximizing benefits in reducing the negatives; based on bouncing human interests. It was developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, it is a socially conscious approach to hedonism that holds that the greatest good is to promote happiness and alleviate suffering for the greatest number of people. ( Chaffee, 9.3) Utilitarianism is the most common moral theory practiced in the business world today, to break down what it is basically is morality of an act is judged by it's utility. The greatest utility that it has for the most people;

Consequentialism is the moral theory that the morality of an action is to be judged solely by its consequences. Although this definition is relatively specific, it covers a broad range of philosophies. For the context of this paper we will focus on the concept of utilitarianism as it has been emphasized in lecture. Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism related to the maximization of utility; looking to maximize the good, while minimizing the bad.

Based upon the utilitarian theory, if people are able to make their own “free” decision to take a risk and bring about a greater good than it is morally permissible. The utilitarianism theory states that the right course of action is the action that brings maximum good. The theory uses the nature of the outcome of an action to judge the moral worth of the action. (Mill, 2009). The rule of utilitarian involves first determining the potential rules of an action. It advocates that in order to determine the right rule to apply in a certain

Utilitarian theory defines the action taken should lead to the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people (sevenoaksphilosophy.org, 2013). Based on this concept the pacemaker’s transistor supplier has to decide who benefits the most from their product, the shareholder or the people in need of pacemakers. Since the profitability of the company is sole purpose as to why the company exists, the shareholders hold a high priority in the decision making. There are only a small percentage of the people who require a pacemaker which makes them a low priority when

One of the major players in ethical theories has long been the concept of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism states that in general the ethical rightness or wrongness of an action is directly related to the utility of that action. Utility is more specifically defined as a measure of the goodness or badness of the consequences of an action (see quote by Mill above). For the