Strengths And Weaknesses Of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the morally right action is the action that produces the most good (Driver, 2009). Utilitarianism insight is that morally appropriate behavior will not harm others, but instead increase happiness or ‘utility.’ Mill states that “the just society is the one that distributes benefits and burdens in whatever way will produce the greatest social benefits or inflict the lowest social harms” (Velasquez, 2008, p.19). Utilitarianism is appealing because it takes over the model of making decisions that individuals would make concerning their own lives. When a utilitarian perspective is adopted, then the maximum level of wellbeing in society can be achieved. An example of positive utilitarian thinking is the government tax system. The rich may not benefit from having to give up a greater portion of their income than the poor, but society as a whole benefits from this arrangement. The veil of ignorance opposes this view, as it is not seen as ‘equal’ and ‘just’. Behind the veil of ignorance, a utilitarian perspective is not

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 has some positive aspects and some problems within the theory, like any theory. There are ways to try to improve it by creating act-utilitarianism and rule-utilitarianism. J.J.C. Smart of La Trobe University evaluates the difference between the two and their inevitability. He also inspects how consequentialism is going to hurt the theory of utilitarianism. Also, Rawls is going to propose a solution to this problem. His theory, Justice as Fairness, seeks to have everyone be seen as an equal in the world. Although this could solve a few of utilitarianism’s problems, it also creates new ones. First, utilitarianism is the belief that an act is morally just if the outcome benefits the majority of people, providing utility. In theory, utilitarianism is inherently great, therefore there should be little debate on whether an action is morally acceptable if it benefited the most amount of people. In broad situations this is suitable, but there are a few times where utilitarianism is immoral. This includes tyranny of the majority, impersonality, and the fact that it is reliant on the results that take place from an action, not the intentions of the action.

We are happiness seeking beings. Therefore, everyone’s happiness is just as important as another person’s. Utilitarianism is not choosing what feels good physically, being selfish, or only caring about the majority. Many people often think of utilitarianism as crudely majoritarian. This, however, is not the case. The world we live in is unfortunately selfish. In order to be a utilitarian, you must be willing to self-sacrifice. It isn’t only about what you want. Your decisions affect other people as well. This concept is what some people struggle to realize. Moreover, utilitarianism is pretty straightforward, however it can still be misinterpreted and misapplied in a lot of ways.

Utilitarianism argues that, given a set of choices, the act we should choose is that which produces the best results for the greatest number affected by that choice.

First let us further examine what is defined as utilitarianism. Utilitarianism states that ever act should comply with the “principle of utility.” It points out what we ought to do and what we shall do. It also, pushes for the most pleasure, with the least pain, for the majority of people involved. Why do people make certain choices? Utilitarianism states that we are now slaves to pain and pleasure and knowing the balance between the two will assist in knowing what choices others will make. While with a utilitarian mindset, making moral decisions based on God- given rights are no longer as important as decisions based

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist philosophy: the righteousness and wrongness of actions depend on the result of the actions, not the intent of the actions. Actions are right if they maximize happiness and decrease pain. It is important to maximize happiness as a collective, not just maximize happiness the pleasure individually. For example, there are opportunities in which sacrificing one’s own happiness is acceptable if it results in a greater value of happiness in a community. A Utilitarian can calculate the net worth of actions by calculating the pain and pleasure it each will create. However, during events where there is not enough time for calculation, we can just rely on the rule of thumb, which are basic (common sense) rules, such as not murdering, lying, or cheating.

Utilitarianism is a moral theory that says any action is morally right if the consequence is positive or for the better. Likewise, any action is morally wrong if the consequence is negative or for the worse. In simpler words, if an action leads to happiness, joy, betterment of an individual or people at large, reduces pain and suffering or facilitates contentment, then the action is in accordance with utilitarianism or morally right. In the same vein, if an action causes pain, suffering, reduces joy or happiness, facilitates discontentment or causes outright harm, then it is morally wrong and thus against the tenets of utilitarianism. There are two different types of utilitarianism, one is extreme utilitarianism and the other is restricted

Firstly, utilitarianism claims that it is the happiness or well-being of sentient beings that is the most valuable thing. Although, this is quite catchy in the sense that it goes along with the happiness of man. Utilitarianism divides the society into two: It’s either you’re deciding for the majority or a minority suffering from the majority’s total happiness. In this particular view, only those who can assert themselves are deemed powerful in a particular society and the minorities are enslaved by their decision and choices.

Utilitarianism as defined by MacKinnon and Fiala is a “normative theory that we ought to concern ourselves with the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people” (p.568). It is one of the most famous form of consequentialist ethics that is mainly focuses about the consequences of an action. An action is only right if it conforms to the greatest happiness (pleasure) principle and provides the best results for the majority of the people. An act is wrong if it results in unhappiness (pain or suffering) and does the contrary.

Utilitarianism came about through the consequentialist ethical theory, which states that consequences determines whether something is good or bad. It is the idea that humans should act in a way that promotes the best utility for the most people. Utility can vary depending on the culture, but for the most part it means the greatest happiness or good for the most amount of people versus unhappiness. In order to determine what the best utility is, one must first determine what is intrinsically good within their culture or society. Then, one must determine what is bad. All of the options must be considered, with each option calculating the value of the results and what they would bring about. Lastly, one must take the course of action that has the highest ratio of good to bad results. Utilitarianism should not be confused with hedonism, which states that the only good thing in itself is pleasure and happiness. Instead, it does not give preferences to happiness or desires, but rather provides a moral compass with which to follow. This might mean sacrificing one’s own happiness for the better utility of the whole.

According to the online guide to ethics and moral philosophy, “Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that places the focus of right and wrong solely on the outcomes (consequences) of choosing on action/policy over other actions/policies. As such, it moves beyond the scope of one’s own interests and takes into account the interests of others” (Online n.d). In simpler vernacular, utilitarianism is the view that the morally right action is the action that increases utility or does the most good. The utilitarian view is to maximize the overall good which contrasts the typical egotistical view which puts the needs of oneself above the needs of others. In Utilitarianism, everyone’s happiness counts the same. There is no “I” before “we or you”, there is just what is best for everyone involved.

As a kind of consequentialism, utilitarianism is one of the most well-known and powerful theories in the history of philosophy. Though there are different types of utilitarianism, it’s basic principle is called “the principle of utility or the greatest happiness principle” (Barbara Mackinnon &Andrew Fiala). Jeremy Bentham, one of the most influential representative English philosophers, explained that “By the principle of utility is means that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question: or, what is the same thing in other words, to promote or to oppose that happiness.”(Jeremy

Utilitarianism approach is all about finding the greatest good to get the best outcome for most people. This means making sure that everyone is happy and benefits from actions that are

Utilitarianism is primarily nonpartisan which at first seems like a utopian mindset in comparison to the world today, but at deeper thought it gets increasingly more disturbing. Like the example stated earlier, it would be terrible to have to choose between your mother or a stranger in a dire situation. However, emotional connection has no meaning in this ideology. The theory also has a flaw with outcomes always justifying the means. This means that it doesn’t matter how one achieves happiness or pleasure, as long as it’s the final outcome. For example, the Black Plague was a terrible epidemic to have crossed the nation, but the outcomes, such as the decrease in overpopulation and the advancements in medicine, made it seem like it was what needed because of the positive results. Lastly, this theory has a knack for lacking in rights meaning if the majority does not care for a minority and wants to kick them out of a certain location, Utilitarianism will defend the majority since it will have the highest amount of happiness or pleasure. Though Utilitarianism has many controversial factors, it also has respectable points as