The Classical Utilitarianism Line Combined With Rational Choice Theory

Throughout history, studies have shown that who you become later in life is determined at birth, that one’s genes solely influence who they grow up to be. To some extend this may be true however, new research concluded that the environment and experiences someone experiences as a child can be just as influential as genetic makeup. These studies have led to the Nature verses Nurture debate, with the nature side being one’s heredities and the nurture side, childhood experiences and relationships. This controversy has largely impacted the criminal world, as law enforcement tries to understand why some people commit horrendous acts. Nature vs. Nurture specifically comes into play when trying to understand the psychology of a serial killer, as

Utilitarianism: “The idea that an action is right, as long as it promotes happiness, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct (Oxford Dictionaries).” This theory was thought up as far back as the 17th century, but didn’t become well known until late into the 18th century when Jeremy Bentham a legal and social reformer gave a powerful presentation of the idea. “Create all the happiness you are able to create; remove all the misery you are able to remove. Every day will allow you, will invite you to add something to the pleasure of others, or to diminish something of their pains (Jeremey Bentham).” Deontology: “An ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether

In today 's society, we face many obstacles in our attempt to achieve the feeling of happiness. As intelligent beings, we try to solve these problems by taking the path that best benefits us. The theory of utilitarianism provides a solution to this but at what cost? What are the benefits and disadvantages of utilitarianism? Is utilitarianism an idea one should live by? What is utilitarianism? I plan on answering these questions within this paper and understand how they relate to everyday life. I will also look at arguments for and against utilitarianism. Then analyze the appealing and unappealing features to determine if utilitarianism should be followed as an absolute rule.

For a long period in history, psychopaths were believed to be possessed by demons and spirits and were routinely exercised to expel such creatures. As science and clinical experiences progressed, people have learned that the brain is wired in multiple different ways, some in which lead to the negative “disorder” dubbed psychopathy (Telles-Correia and Sampaio). Yet, the popular theory that ‘psychopathy is purely genetic is not entirely true. Both genetic and environmental aspects cause psychopathy, and go hand-in-hand in some cases.

Libertarians reject Utilitarianism’s concerns for the total social well-being. While utilitarians are willing to restrict the liberty of some for the greater good, libertarians believe that justice consists solely of respect for individual property. If an individual isn’t doing something that interferes with anyone else’s liberty, then no person, group, or government should disturb he or she from living life as desired (not even if doing so would maximize social happiness). They completely disregard concern for an overall social well-being. Using a libertarian’s perspective, a state that taxes its better-off citizens to support the less fortunate ones violates their rights because they have not willingly chosen to do so. In that same context, a theory that forces capitalists to invest in people and natural capital is immoral. Nevertheless, libertarians encourage that people help those in need, as it is a good thing.

Edward Theodore Gein was born in La Crosse County, Wisconsin in 1906. The second son of George Philip and Augusta Wilhelmine Gein. Augusta despised her husband, an alcoholic who was unable to keep a job. He worked various times as a carpenter and an insurance salesman. Augusta owned a local grocery shop and later sold it in 1914 for a farm to live in isolation near Plainfield, Wisconsin, which was there permanent home.

He may not have had a chainsaw, but serial killer Ed Gein was a key inspiration for the infamous Leatherface. Born in 1906 in Plainfield, Wisconsin, Ed Gein lived most of his life as a reclusive loner. Born to an alcoholic father, George, and a fanatically religious mother, Augusta, Ed Gein suffered heavy psychological and physical abuse at the hands of his parents. Classmates remember Ed as being reclusive with strange habits. One of his most unnerving habits was to randomly laugh out loud as though someone had told a joke that only he could hear.

Edward Theodore Gein, more commonly known as Ed Gein, was born Aug 27 1906, in La Crosse Wisconsin, USA (Jenkins par 1). Ed had a harsh childhood, he experienced it with Henry, his older brother, and his parents, Augusta and George. His mother had been religiously dedicated, and Ed was zealously devoted to her, whereas his father was an alcoholic (Biograpgy.com Editors par 2). Growing up Augusta was very dominant, often verbally abusing the Gein brothers. She had the utmost control over Ed and Henry, both were not allowed any social interaction with individuals she disliked. She taught them about religion, often reading to them from the Bible, especially verses about pre-martial sexual relations, and all women being whores and prostitutes. At school Ed was often bullied, because of his lack of social behaviour, most likely caused by his mother. Ed listened to his mother and respected her, but on the other hand Harry, Ed’s brother, openly hated what she preached and would challenge her views. George couldn’t do anything; he wasn’t a violent alcoholic but instead quite feeble. Augusta wore the “pants” in the relationship, and although she hated George, because of his alcoholic ways, divorce was out of the question, as she believed divorce itself was a sin.

Utilitarianism as an ethical theory is seen as 'an act that is morally correct if it results in the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people affected by the act'. (Crane, Matten, Chapt. 3). It is a principle that concentrates on the outcome of an act and compares the good outcome with the bad outcome and supports the outcome that brings the greatest amount of good for all stakeholders involved.

Ed Gein had a history of learning problems and was mentally incompetent. Psychologists and psychiatrists who interviewed Gein asserted that he was a schizophrenic and a “sexual psychopath”. He was diagnosed as a sexual psychopath because of his Necrophiliac tendencies. Gein also had antisocial personality disorder.

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory which was first introduced by Epicurus in the 3rd Century BC and more famously developed by Jeremy Bentham. The theory focuses on the idea of pleasure and happiness for the majority. Bentham’s theory was further developed by J.S.Mill and Peter Singer, and in turn Rule and Preference Utilitarianism were developed. During this essay, I will be focusing on the rights of life and liberty, in relation to this theory. Whilst I agree with the above statement because that Utilitarianism focuses on the pleasure for the most amount of people, and therefore allows for a consequentialist approach towards morality, I feel that the somewhat antinomian reasoning towards making decisions allows for the justification of

Utilitarianism is a moral theory that has long been the subject of philosophical debate. This theory, when practiced, appears to set a very basic guideline to follow when one is faced with a moral dilemma. Fundamental Utilitarianism states that when a moral dilemma arises, one should take action that causes favorable results or reduces less favorable results. If these less favorable results, or pain, occur from this action, it can be justified if it is produced to prevent more pain or produce happiness. Stating the Utilitarian view can summarize these basic principles: "the greatest good for the greatest number". Utilitarians are to believe that if they follow this philosophy, that no matter what action they take, it

Utilitarianism is the ethical belief that the happiness of the greatest number of people is the greatest good. Jeremy Betham and John Stuart Mill are two philosophers that were leading advocates for the utilitarianism that we study today. In order to understand the basis of utilitarianism, one must know what happiness is. John Stuart Mill defines happiness as the intended pleasure and absence of pain while unhappiness is pain and the privation of pleasure. Utilitarians feel the moral obligation to maximize pleasure for not only themselves, but for as many people as possible. All actions can be determined as right or wrong based on if they produce the maximum amount of happiness. The utilitarian belief that all actions can be determined as right or wrong based only on their repercussions connects utilitarianism to consequentialism. Consequentialism is the belief that an action can be determined morally right or wrong based on its consequences. Just like any other belief system, utilitarianism faces immense amount of praise and criticism.

The theory of Utilitarianism states that actions should be judged as right or wrong depending on whether they cause more happiness or unhappiness. It weighs the rightness and wrongness of an action based on consequences of that action.

Numerous moral theories have surfaced in the past years. They have been widely debated by philosophers and social reformers. It is important to understand what these theories are because of their influential tendencies in the way people act, especially in making morally right or wrong decisions. Utilitarianism is one of these many moral theories. Upon further analysis, problems with utilitarian thoughts are revealed. It has been widely debated by many philosophers, including G.E. Moore and Immanuel Kant. Like these two philosophers, I argue that utilitarianism is inadequate because of its contradictory nature as a moral theory. It highlights the principle of utility in seeking the greatest pleasure, allowing egotistic and hedonistic actions to be considered moral.