Utilitarianism 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 …show more content…
Utilitarianism would say that the more "basic or lower-order projects" that comprise of these desires such as family and friends, are unimportant and detract from "higher-order project" of maximizing desirable outcomes (Singer: 341). The result of this reasoning would mean that all "lower-order projects" would have only the purpose of satisfying "higher-order projects." This would make one's only goal in life to make other people happy which is not the only cause for one's own happiness. An individual's happiness is also related to a varying range of projects or pursuits of interest of "lower-order projects." Integrity is a very important issue that is often overlooked by Utilitarians. This is often the case because integrity is closely related to "lower-order projects." If an individual did not have any integrity, he/she would a unfulfilling and boring life. Williams says that "happiness, rather, requires being involved in, or at least content with, something else (Singer: 342)." These "lower-order projects" are the defining characteristics of an individuals' existence and allow one to achieve personal happiness. "If such commitments are worth while, then pursuing the projects that flow from them, and realizing some of those projects, will make the person for whom they are worth while, happy (Singer: 342)." The examples that Williams' uses, shows us how two characters are faced with a dilemma
After reading chapter 7, I wasn't sure if utilitarianism is all that convincing. From the first example from the reading, where the dying millionaire wants to donate his money to the Yankees, but then there is a charity to help people that are starving. To me I am on the fence for which way it should go. First of all, I feel as the person should carry out the man's dying wish and give it to the Yankees, in which he wanted his money to be given to. But, then that charity that could help 100,000 starving people changes things. Utilitarianism from what I understand is the doing of something that causes the greatest amount of people happiness. After re-reading some of chapter 7 and really understanding what utilitarianism means, I finally found
Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is mainly associated with the principle of Utility summarised by Jeremy Bentham, a social reformer, in 1768. This principle was to apply ‘the greatest good of the greatest number’ theory to all situations that may arise. This theory was that which is good is the act which provides the greatest amount of pleasure and the least amount of pain. This is a teleological theory as the action is determined by the consequences of the action, and not the purpose of the action. The theory considered pleasure and happiness to be the
Utilitarianism is the system of values stating that maximizing the total happiness of all people is good. Happiness of people should be sacrificed only to bring greater happiness to other people. Psychologically, immediate happiness corresponds to what you want. Pain, including psychological distress, is the opposite of happiness. Actual happiness is not the same as
The theory of Act Utilitarianism is a part of consequentialism where presence is more evident of pleasure, and no pain because due to the most amount of utility, or happiness, for the greater amount of people. The actions are compared to how much utility they provide for the greater good. Act Utilitarianism would morally require me to save the five kindergarteners having a tea party on the train tracks because by saving the five children over the two rail workers, you are letting more people live and more families would be impacted by flipping the switch to Branch B. The utility produced by saving the five children would impact them, their friends, and their immediate, as well as distant family, which leads to giving more utility to the greater good of the people involved. The happiness produced by saving the two rail workers would not be numerically similar to if I were to save the five kindergarteners. The utility produced from saving the five kindergarteners would completely outweigh the amount of utility
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical system in which it is posited that the most ethical thing for a person to do is to maximize the happiness within their society. Utilitarianists believe that the consequences of actions can be calculated so that it can be seen that the consequences that produce the most good are the best for most of society. This can be done by basing all of one’s own decisions and actions on the increase of overall happiness of one’s society. If a particular action would produce more bad or evil for the society, then that action would be superseded by an action that either causes the least evil, if no good can arise, or the action that causes the most good which is most favorable. Generally, utilitarianism tells
The USSR has been accidently bombed by the US and now the President of the USSR is deciding whether to bomb New York City in the United States and cause the same damage of 7 million plus deaths in the US or declare a full-scale nuclear war against the US, which would cause over 100 million deaths in the US and the USSR. I will argue that using extreme deontology mindset is the more plausible response than act utilitarianism for the given situation.
Utilitarianism is an objectivist theory of morality and holds that the right action is the action that produces the most utility. The intention is to make life better by creating more pleasure than pain. In other words, the outcome must produce the greatest amount of good for the greatest number. Utilitarianism is a form of consquentialism, meaning that the action is solely based on the outcome it produces. Act Utilitarianism
Classical utilitarianism, the theory as described by 17th century philosopher John Stuart Mill, states that the only thing that matters is that are the happiness and unhappiness that is created as a consequence of an action; those actions are to be judged right or wrong solely by virtue of their consequences, everything else is irrelevant. The theory also states that each person’s happiness is equally important. According to Mill, the right actions are actions that produce the greatest possible balance of happiness over unhappiness. Although the theory of utilitarianism is widely accepted, it is not without some very critical and persuasive objections. I will examine and analyze the “doctrine of swine” and “lack of time” objections
the view that an action is right if it is likely to produce the best
The United States flag stands to the world as a signal of freedom and most importantly choice. The constitution gives our citizens that right to choose how to live life, how to use our liberty, and how to pursue our own happiness. But what happens when a citizen decides to opt for no life? Is that not a choice? This is the argument for one of the most controversial questions of the past decade, should assisted suicide be deemed legal in the United States? The root of the controversy is the involvement of medical community in such a choice. I will look to find a not an answer but guidance to determine if assisted suicide is an ethical choice. While the issue has no answer that would make both sides of the issue content, Utillitarism and
Deborah's utilitarian arguments for deception are lying and withholding information about the defect of debugging in the software to the project provider for the better and further interest of the company. However, in terms of deception someone should not lie or withhold or hide any information of the project or work to the provider because it may cause an immense of problem to diagnosis the problem or the whole system might end up with remaining a defect in the system. In this Deborah’s situation, Wayne Davidson found some debug in the system. The problem wasn’t that crucial but need more time to fix it. When Wayne discussed about the issue with Deborah, she found that the time what Wayne wanting could way too exceed the submission date and which could cause a massive uncertainty of getting more projection from the provider ‘Federal Aviation Academy (FAA)’. The consequence of that issue might bring a huge disaster on the company. So, she was argued to hide the defect and insist to Wayne to submit the project with the debug. In terms of utilitarian argument Deborah’s perspective as would be a deceiver. Because she’s hiding the debug which the provider or contractor must need to be known. Hiding or withholding information and lying could lead to a massive defect on the project which also could arise a huge disruption or hazard when the software or technology would officially release.
Utilitarianism is a concept that helps to achieve maximal, subjective utility for the greater population rather than an individual. Utilitarianism helps propose guidelines for solving or attempting to solve ethical problems. Each of these problems involves an act and utilitarianism offers definitions for a good act and a bad act. To the utilitarian, a good act is an act in which maximizes utility (pleasure, happiness, satisfaction) for the population, regardless of who those people might be, whereas a bad act is an act in which achieves the reverse by inducing the opposite of happiness. An example of a good act would be choosing to participate in community service which sought to clean the unkept and leafy yards of disabled people rather than choosing to stay home and study for an exam you have in a few days. The act of doing community service
Utilitarianism can be defined as a moral principle which justifies as morally right any action that results in the greatest good for greatest number of people. According to utilitarianism, the “greatest good” is happiness of the greatest number of people in the society. As long as our actions produce maximum benefits or pleasure for everyone, we shouldn’t care if the benefits are results of lies, manipulations, stealing or any other wrongdoings.
Under Utilitarianism, abortion is accepted when it is for the good of the people involved. There are too many circumstances that change with each woman that there cannot be a straight forward yes or no. I agree with this view. Women should have a choice based on their personal life. I don’t believe in a law making that decision for women. Rape is a major factor that plays into abortion. How could the government state that a woman that is raped is not allowed to have an abortion? That is absolutely absurd. Another part to abortion is when a woman is not ready to be a mother. Abortion shouldn’t be a way out, but if a woman is truly not ready to be a mother and not ready to give a child the best life they could give, they should have that choice. A child deserves to be brought up in a way that can be
Utilitarianism is a theory aimed at defining one simple basis that can be applied when making any ethical decision. It is based on a human’s natural instinct to seek pleasure and avoid pain.