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A real life situation where I used utilitarianism essay
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A real life situation where I used utilitarianism essay
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Ethical Utilitarianism The theory that I have chosen is the theory of ethical utilitarianism. Many people use this theory every day without even knowing we are using it, it’s is so natural that we don’t even think about it or wonder how we became to using it. Ethical utilitarianism is one of the many answers to the question of why an action or something is morally correct or incorrect. This is has been an ongoing question that many people have made theories towards trying to answer it and the theory of utilitarianism is the one that I think answers it the most accurately. The ethical utilitarianism theory is when the moral rightness of an action or activity can be determined by looking at its consequences. The consequences are determined right or wrong depending on whether the outcome is favorable than more unfavorable by those who are affected by the action or activity. So this means as long as the actions or activity that are performed bring out the most happiness and pleasure overall, the action is then considered morally and ethically right, but if the action brings sadness and displeasure then the action or activity is wrong. There is another way ethical utilitarianism is looked at, which is when the action or activity is judged by the people involved are …show more content…
Utilitarianism provides a foundation for creating and testing different ideas and it offers an objective way of solving conflicts of self-interest that you would get by using the egoism theory. By following the utilitarianism theory you recognize the groups that are involved and/or society in part of the decision making process to determine if something is ethically correct or not. Utilitarianism does not allow a person to put his/her interests or actions first, someone who follows the theory of utilitarianism thinks in the best interest of the minority of the group involved. The last one is it can easily resolve conflicts of
Utilitarianism says that the right action is the one that brings about the most overall happiness. No other moral rule has universal validity. According to Rachels, Utilitarianism is known as “we should always do whatever will produce the greatest possible balance of happiness over unhappiness for everyone who will be affected by our action” (Rachels). Utilitarianism has three main principles. Consequentialism says that the actions are to be judged right or wrong solely by virtue of their consequences. Hedonism states that in assessing consequences, the only thing that matters are the amount of happiness/unhappiness that is caused. The Equality Principle states that each person’s happiness counts the same. The two most important objections to utilitarianism are Consequentialism and the Equality Principle. The replies to Consequentialism and the Equality Principle, shows that Utilitarianism is not a plausible moral theory, therefore, Utilitarianism should be rejected.
Utilitarianism concerns itself with promoting the best outcomes for the greatest numbers in order to be ethically acceptable, utilitarianism is a consequentialist approach which aims at results of actions regardless of how they are carried out. Utilitarian monsters, a term coined by R. Nozick, are those who “get enormously greater gains in utility from any sacrifice of others than these others lose. For, unacceptably, the theory seems to require that we all be sacrificed in the monster’s maw, in order to increase total utility”.(The Utility Monster, 2011)
Utilitarianism is an ethical study often associated with “politics of interest” because the ideas of utilitarianism are set on maximizing utility and efficiency. This idea focuses on individualism and aggregating what is best for society as a whole, specifically the economic aspect of society. Deontology is an ethical study that is almost the complete opposite of utilitarian beliefs. Deontology is an ethical study often associated with “politics of conscious” because it approaches issues with the idea of right vs. wrong on mind. This ethical viewpoint is rooted in fulfilling God’s laws and focuses on equal rights. An ethical dilemma case that revolves around the utilitarianism view is The Yellowstone National Park case. The controversy in
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).
“Utilitarianism is the creed which accepts as the foundations of morals utility of the greatest happiness principle holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.” (Mil, 90). Utilitarianism ethics is based on the greatest good for the greatest number meaning that the moral agent does what he/she thinks will be
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.
Imagine a child living in a hot, government owned apartment in Chicago. He has no father. With his single, jobless mother he struggles to the words of the founding fathers: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable Rights; that among these, are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness...” (The Declaration of Independence). This is one of the most famous phrases in the US Declaration of Independence and has become the underpinning of the dreams of millions of people around the world. Although the words are different, these sentiments are reflected in the political and economical policies of many democracies. While the notion of ‘happiness for all’ seems like the obvious solution to many of our persistent problems, we inevitably encounter conflicts between our actions and our morals. “The state is based on……the contradiction between public and private life, between universal and particular interests. For this reason, the state must confine itself to formal, negative activities.”(Marx, 1992). This essay focuses on the issues of a prominent theory, Utilitarianism as it blends and encompasses both areas of Economics and Ethics which have become the basis of our governmental bodies.
Utilitarianism is a good example of an ethical theory that could be applied to my professional and personal life. Utilitarianism is the theory that a person should maximize the happiness and minimize the unhappiness for as many people as possible. This theory believes
Does one’s happiness transcend to others and create happiness for society? The concept of Utilitarianism is that of which the average individual must endeavor to obtain maximum happiness by doing whatever means necessary to better the world as a whole. This goal is not only for people of the present but also the future. This goal can come with a lot of skepticism especially from that of common sense morality. These things conflict with one another because although Utilitarianism tries to bring the best out of everybody with happiness; it lacks the self interest for others when making decisions.
Utilitarian Ethics- is a concept of consequentialist ethics. Utilitarian ethics is based on the idea that the moral worth of an action is solely determined by the contribution to overall happiness or pleasures for society as a whole. One has the option to either asses the consequences of each act or asses the consequences that will persist as long as they produce the greatest net good for all.
Utilitarianism is a philosophical theory in which the happiness of the greatest number of people in a community is considered to be the greatest good. According to me, I find utilitarianism the most compelling ethical theory among the three. Not only do I find utilitarianism more compelling but also some government systems such as the United States and many more prefer using this theory in their governing.
1a. Utilitarianism is one of the most influential moral theories. Like other forms of consequentialism, its main idea is that the decision of whether actions are morally right or wrong depends on their effects. More specifically, the only effects of actions that should be considered are the good and bad results that they produce. Utilitarianism believes that the purpose of morality is to make life better by increasing the amount of good things in the world. The motto for Utilitarians is: “The greatest good for the greatest number.” Based on this theory, any action that provides more people with happiness or pleasure is morally right. Moral codes are not consistent with this theory, nor any systems that consist of rules such as customs, traditions, or orders. Instead, utilitarianists think that what makes a morality be true or justifiable is its positive contribution to human beings. Act Utilitarianism focuses on the effects of individual actions rather than the effects of rules, such as the effects of David’s possible chemical attack on the water supply.
Utilitarianism can be described as an ethical theory that states if the consequences of an action
Decision-making is one of the hardest tasks individuals have to endure. Deciphering between whether or not the decision you make will benefit you, hurt someone else, what are the pros, what are the cons, and if the decision you make is even moral. When decision-making the study of ethics plays a major role as to which decision you ultimately decide on. Ethics evaluates the morality of actions based on principles set by theories, individuals or in some instances cultures. Morality is an enormous part of decision-making, which comes into play every single day in human life. Ethicists create theories based on the moral duties in our lives in regards to certain situations. In particular, utilitarianism is a well-known theory in which essentially, promotes the idea of providing the most satisfaction for the majority whenever possible. Utilitarianism constitutes the overall happiness, the consequences and the principle of utility in order to correctly determine whether or not an action is right.
I see utilitarianism as a powerful and persuasive approach to ethics in philosophy. There are varieties of views discussed but utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the morally correct action is the action that produces the most good. In its simplest form it is maximizing pleasure while minimizing pain. There are a few ways to think about this claim. One good way to think about is that this theory is a form of consequentialism. The right action is understood basically in terms of consequences produced. The utilitarian view is one thought to maximize the overall good; that good being the good of others as well as the good of ones self. Utilitarianism is also not partial. Everybody 's happiness counts the same. This version of the good is one that must maximize the good for everyone. My good counts just the same as anyone else 's good.