Arguments Against Utilitarianism

1444 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: What is better, utilitarianism or rule

Introduction Ethics is a broad branch of philosophy which deals with the moral behavior. In this regard, actions are classified according to the consequences they result to, internal characteristics as well as the character exhibited by the actions in the end. Three ethical systems are used to judge actions between the wrong and the right. I will concentrate on utilitarianism that is widely used over the world. Utilitarianism “The utilitarianism theory states that the best moral action is the one that maximizes utility. Actions are viewed to be right if only they promote happiness” (Mill, 2010. page 17). On the other hand, actions are considered to be wrong if they lead to anger and unhappiness to an individual. “The theory aims at right actions that give pleasure to individuals while making sure they are free from pain”, (Mill, 2010. page 22). Utilitarianism is divided into two categories: “(1) Rule-utilitarianism in which the primary goal of the utilitarian individual is to ensure that everyone is happy. (2) Act utilitarianism in which individuals should undertake actions with the best result” (Rosen, 2005. page 31). In my opinion, pleasure is considered to be the peak of life in this theory. Arguments for Utilitarianism …show more content…

I will begin by looking at the first claim that states that the consequential nature of utilitarianism is inappropriate. According to this argument, actions are judged according to the resulting consequences on the individual who undertook the actions without considering who motivated the actions. I will argue that this claim is wrong. This is because if the actions are morally up right, they will also produce the best consequences compared to any other actions. In my opinion utilitarianism is effective in shaping the behavioral character of the society as maximization of the good actions as well as minimization of evil deeds is

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Richard Kyte's An Ethical Life

    1416 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ethics is defined by as the “branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions

    Read More

  • John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism

    715 Words  | 2 Pages

    The problem with Utilitarianism is not that it seeks to maximize happiness. Rather, it is that Utilitarianism is so fixated on generating the most happiness that the need to take into account the morality of the individual actions that constitute the result is essentially eradicated. In so doing, the possibility of committing unethical actions in the name of promoting the general welfare is brought about, which in turn, renders Utilitarianism an inadequate ethical

    Read More

  • On Utilitarianism

    1122 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Utilitarianism, J.S. Mill gives an account for the reasons one must abide by the principles of Utilitarianism. Also referred to as the Greatest-happiness Principle, this doctrine promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest amount of people. More specifically, Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, holding that the right act is that which yields the greatest net utility, or "the total amount of pleasure minus the total amount of pain", for all individuals affected by said act (Joyce, lecture notes from 03/30).

    Read More

  • Utilitarianism Essay

    842 Words  | 2 Pages

    Utilitarianism is zdefined, as the right way to act is one that maximizes your happiness, (pleasure and happiness is the absence of pain) while the wrong way is one that produces the opposite i.e. pain. Unhappiness here is defined as pain or the opposite of happiness. This is the basis of utilitarianism or what Mill calls the “greatest happiness principle” and it is the best ethical theory by which humans should follow. The argument for the above is as follows

    Read More

  • Mill's Utilitarianism

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main principle of utilitarianism is the greatest happiness principle. It states that, "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure" (Mill, 1863, Ch. 2, p330). In other words, it results with the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people that are involved.

    Read More

  • A Practical Companion To Ethics By Anthony Weston

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ethics is a doing and learning experience which causes us as humans to keep an open mind to change. Generally, ethics ask us to live mindfully, to think how we act and even how we feel or do things, which can change the outcome. Sometimes we go down certain roads, which may be harder or make things more complicated or complex instead of making an easier option we just take the easier way out, usually the way that calls for

    Read More

  • Immanuel Kant's The Quinlan Case

    1386 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is ethics? Ethics are the philosophical principles of good verses bad moral behavior. It is a guideline to help people make decisions or make a judgment calls. There are two main types of ethical principles that will be discussed in this paper, and how they are applied to the decision making process. They are Deontological and Utilitarian. Deontological ethics are based on the righteousness or wrongness of the action-taking place. It does not base itself on the bad or good consequences that come from the action. Immanuel Kant introduced deontological ethics in the 18th century. Kant believed that every decision or action made by a person had to be evaluated by his or her moral duty. He stated that humanity shouldn’t side on its

    Read More

  • Utilitarianism: Explanation And Study of Criticisms

    3062 Words  | 7 Pages

    Utilitarianism: Explanation And Study of Criticisms The dictionary definition of Utilitarianism is: 'The doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principal of conduct.' When making a moral decision, we should look at the outcome of an action. Whatever brings the greatest happiness to the most people is the morally 'right' decision. It is a consequentialist principal where the majority rules.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Utilitarianism

    993 Words  | 2 Pages

    Utilitarianism tries to ensure happiness for the general majority, but utilitarianism is not soundly applicable in all situations. It tries to judge the happiest outcome of all situations, but is flawed in its basic reasoning. It is nearly impossible to judge the benefit of one decision over another in all situations. Here we see the trolley problem. A trolley or a train has gotten loose and is hurtling down the track. Ahead there are five people on the track. When the utilitarian in the problem looks over there is another track with only one person on it. The utilitarian is in the trolley house with the option of switching the tracks to hit one person as opposed to five. With this simple illustration, the utilitarian would switch the lever. The philosophy behind switching the lever is simple to the utilitarian. He switches the lever and causes the train only kill the one man because he is only one man, and surely less people will be affected by his death than by the five people’s deaths. But in truth he does not know that. That one man could be the CEO of a large

    Read More

  • Arguments Against Utilitarianism

    1464 Words  | 3 Pages

    In light of the explanations above it can be argued that in utilitarian approach there are different kind of challenges which posing serious threat to utilitarianism in a direction to achieve greatest happiness principles. First of all, utilitarian approach is a problematic from point of demanding issue because theory contradicts within itself about motives of our actions and criterion about it. Second challenge about utilitarianism is that the approach missed the analyze the real world conditions about personal experiences and cultural differences about experience. Third questionable idea about utilitarian school is that it has consequentialist points of view which may damage societal welfare and overall happiness because of personal expediency issue.

    Read More

  • Managerial Ethics

    1607 Words  | 4 Pages

    [1] Ethics is defined as “the code of moral principles and values that governs the behaviour of a person or a group with respect to what is right or wrong” (Samson and Daft, 2005, p.158)

    Read More

  • Ethical Theories: Consequentialism, Deontological, And Virtue

    632 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ethics is another branch of philosophy. The main idea of this branch is to question how a person is supposed to live their life. How should they act in certain situations? There are three ethical theories that are meant to help a person to live a moral life. The three theories are, Consequentialism, Deontological, and Virtue ethics.

    Read More

  • Ethics And Ethical Systems

    1378 Words  | 3 Pages

    As a function, ethics is a philosophical study of the moral value of human conduct, and of the rules and principles it should govern. As a system, ethics are a social, religious, or civil code of behavior considered correct by a particular group, profession, or individual. As an instrument, ethics provide perspective regarding the moral fitness of a decision, course of action, or potential outcomes. Ethical decision-making can include many types, including deontological (duty), consequentialism (including utilitarianism), and virtue ethics. Additionally, subsets of relativism, objectivism, and pluralism seek to understand the impact of moral diversity on a human level. Although distinct differences separate these ethical systems, organizations

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Utilitarianism And Kantian Ethics

    843 Words  | 2 Pages

    Utilitarianism can be defined as: the right action is the one that produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. Utilitarians seem to believe that humans only have two desires, or motivations: happiness and pain. They want as much happiness as possible and the least amount of pain as any other action. Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory, meaning that whether it is right, depends solely on its consequences.

    Read More

  • Ethics in the Modern World

    1524 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ethics is a system of moral principles and a branch of philosophy which defines what is acceptable for both individuals and society. It is a philosophy that covers a whole range of things that have an importance in everyday situations. Ethics are vital in everyones lives, it includes human values, and how to have a good life, our rights and responsibilities, moral decisions what is right and wrong, good and bad. Moral principles affect how people make decisions and lead their lives (BBC, 2013). There are many different beliefs about were ethics come from. These consist of; God and Religion, human conscience, the example of good human beings and a huge desire for the best for people in each unique situation, and political power (BBC, 2013).

    Read More

More about Arguments Against Utilitarianism

Open Document