Ethical Theory Of Utilitarianism: The Elements Of Moral Philosophy

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Zohra Javid Professor Taylor PHIL 2320 31 October 2015 Second Reaction Paper o Consider the ethical theory of utilitarianism as discussed in chapters 7 and 8 of The Elements of Moral Philosophy. A. Explain the difference between act (classical) and rule versions of utilitarianism. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? B. Explain the drawbacks to consequentialist ethical theories? What potential factors do consequentialists exclude from ethical debates? And, what examples did John Stuart Mill provide in Utilitarianism to support his principle of utility in ethics? C. Use utilitarianism to analyze a contemporary moral dilemma not discussed in the book. Construct an argument for a particular moral stance regarding this dilemma. Provide at least one …show more content…

Utilitarianism is when you determine rightness or wrongness of an action judged off the consequences. It’s a way to get the maximum number of happiness from the greatest amount of people, so if the majority of the people are content with the consequences then there’s no problem behind the action. The intentions you have behind an action determine whether you perform that action or not. Initially your intentions are to look at the greater “good” of the action and if that good outweighs the bad then you’ll probably initiate that action. There are two subcategories for utilitarianism; act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. Act Utilitarianism is the belief that an action is morally right because it produces the greatest good or happiness for the majority of the people. Rule Utilitarianism is the belief that any action is morally right depending on the

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