Utilitarianism: Morally Correct Course Of Action

Utilitarianism can be defined as the theory that maximizes the benefits of the majority by taking the best action. Take the trolley problem, for example. From a utilitarian standpoint, the best action would be to save the most people regardless of the situation. However, because we are the ones to decide whether flipping the switch is a good idea or a bad one; it depends on who we are and what the situation is. For example, one person might agree with the utilitarian; and is confident that it is best to save the most lives as well. Another person might not be decisive and it will be too late, and another person might understand the situation, but will not do a thing about it because they question whether they should play god and decide on other

Utilitarianism is understood to be a consequentialist moral history, as discuss by Mr. Burgess and Smith in the article, consequentialism believes that the rightness/wrongness of an action(s) is to be judged solely on the consequence that result from the action(s). Until then, utilitarians are focused on consequences that promote the good for the greatest number of people. These arguments are from the reading article and I found that it is the most problematic of those that I have studied so far in the course.

right, to carry out an action which is wrong in itself as long as it

Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that focuses on what an individual should do, rather than what they must do. This division of ethical theory dictates an action to be morally right if the consequences of the action produce the greatest benefit for those affected by the action.

Utilitarianism is the ethical theory that was initially formulated by Jeremy Bentham and later developed further by John Stuart Mill. It has gained wide acceptance even till modern times. This is the belief which declares that the foundation of morals is ‘utility’ or the ‘greatest happiness’ principle and contends that actions are right to the extent they tend to maximize happiness; wrong if they lead to the reverse of happiness. This theory states that the determination of whether an act is morally right depends on its consequences, thus giving it the name of consequentialism. There are several varying approaches that essentially come under the categories of act consequentialism and rule

Pure UtilItarianism is a moral theory formally published by the 19th century English philosopher Jeremy Bentham establishing utilitarianism as providing the greatest amount of utility (or pleasure) with the least amount of pain. Pure utilitarianism demonstrates an economical approach to individual morality. The three tenets that surround utilitarianism or hedonism, aggregation and consequentialism. (1) Hedonism reflects the only thing good for ‘us’ as an end is pleasure and the absence of pain. (2) Aggregation considers an outcome is better if the sum of what is good for each of ‘us’ less what is worse for each of ‘us’ is greater. (3) Consequentialism appeals we are morally required to do what is to produce the best outcome. While there are dozens of criticisms of utilitarianism, I believe we must critically examine what defines ‘us’ to further reinforce the validity of the concept. Through this lens, while whom/what we are responsible to provide pleasure for comes as a philosophical query in itself; whether we are responsible for the human race,

People has made the right moral decisions when saving because of utilitarianism. For instance, there are two ships, one ship have 300 people inside, the other only have 100 and both are sinking, which one will you fix? If people make the right moral decision they will fix the ship with 300 people inside because the ship have the ‘greatest number’ of people. Though it is a

According to the utilitarians, we should act upon the action that brings the highest overall level of utility. In other words, there are consequences in all of our actions, and those consequences can affect both ourselves and others around us. For Jeremy Bentham, founder of the utilitarianist ideology, everybody counted for one, and therefore, every single individual's feelings were to be seen as equal. As equalitarian and impartial as this ethical approach is, Bentham believes that humans have an egoistical rather than an altruistic nature because "we are guided by pleasure and pain in everything we do" (Gosselin, slide 11). Even in moments where we are performing actions we dislike, Bentham believes that we are trying to maximize pleasure and minimize pain so that in the long run, we

Utilitarianism argues that what matters are not the actions itself but the consequences or outcomes of those actions. It claims that right or wrong actions could be separated by focusing on the consequences of those actions. Furthermore, utilitarianism believes that even though motives may cause actions, but consequences are resulted from actions. Therefore, whether the motive behind the action was a self-serving one or a genuine care for somebody else, it does not really matter. Utilitarianism teaches people to focus on maximizing happiness and produce least harm above everything else. Therefore, as long as the outcome is achieved, it allows people to disregard some moral rules. Judgment in utilitarianism is based on a cost

Utilitarianism is a theory that was founded by Jeremy Bentham and was later revised by John Stuart Mill. This theory is based on producing the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people and all self-aware beings on Earth. Utilitarianism factors in the amount of bad and good that will be produced by an act. It uses this whether it is during the act or after the act has been done. A utilitarianist believes in one ultimate goal: living a life without pain and a life with many enjoyments. Pain and enjoyments are different to everyone so they are hard to judge sometimes. Mill stated that overall happiness is key and that we as a society should try to maximize quality and quantity of overall happiness.

Utilitarianism is just one of many ethical theories used and studied in the world that we live in today. Many people would choose to disagree with the ideals that this theory embodies, but before someone chooses to disagree with it, they should know more about the theory instead of judging a book by its cover.

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.

In this essay, I will attempt to explore the ethical theory of Utilitarianism and the impression it has left on me. The Utilitarian theory suggests that it is morally right to seek the greatest good for the greatest number of people. The morally right act is the act which results in the most happiness for the people of this world. “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do.” (Bentham quoted in Dupré, 2013:49) Every person’s individual actions must be done with the view that their actions will in turn result in greater happiness, not just their own personal happiness but that of every person affected. The ethical theory of utilitarianism was developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, who both practiced philosophy and economics. Utilitarianism at first glance seems to have many positives and upsides, but unfortunately no system is perfect, so it

Utilitarianism is the ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility and that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons. Classical Utilitarians include Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. It

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