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Ethics And Society
What is the importance of Ethics
Case studies using ethical theories
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Ethics plays a very important role in one social system and basically on how the people will make their actions or decide on a particular thing on whether it is the right or the wrong thing. Ethical consideration is very important. It helps a person or a group of person understands whether the actions are right or wrong. Ethics is a very critical factor most especially when considering where the ethical standards are to applied. Aside from it, weighing results of actions or decision is also another major concern because of the fact that a person has critically analyze whose side is needed to satisfied. There are instances that moral obligations are also considered, in which moral is defined as a universal accepted personal human behavior that allows a person to decide whether an action or decision is good or bad. In the case of Joelle, this study will significantly identify the different ethical principles that can be applied in the case. In addition to it, the study will also arrive in one ethical theory that Joelle can be applied in her situation in order for her to effectively determine what she will do and if her decision and action can be considered ethical or the right thing. UTILITARIANISM Utilitarianism is an ethical theory in which determining the rightness or wrongness of action or decision is based on determining whether the greatest benefit or happiness will be provided in the highest or greatest number of population. This simply means that action or decision must be based on the highest amount or number of beneficiary (Martineau, 2006). However, this ethical theory has two major types. First is the “act utilitarianism” and second is the “rule utilitarianism.” Act utilitarianism specifically adh... ... middle of paper ... ... the pollution, it can be concluded that total external population has the most number of population that will benefit from the decision. Generally, the position that Joelle must take is to mention the illegal dumping modus operandi of her company. Works Cited Dooley, D. (1996). Equality in Community: Sexual Equality in the Writings of William Thompson and Anna Doyle Wheeler. Ireland: Cork University Press. Frederick, R. (2002). A companion to business ethics. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Gardiner, S.M. (2005). eVirtue Ethics, Old and New. New York: Cornell University Press. Kaufman, A. (1999). Welfare in the Kantian State. New York: Oxford University Press. Martineau, J. (2006). Types of Ethical Theory, Volume 1. New York: Cosimo, Inc. Reese, C.D. and Eidson, J.V. (1999). Handbook of OSHA construction safety and health. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press
Ethics is an important proponent when considering any decision. Knowing the difference between right and wrong is something everyone should know. However, the importance of ethics gets minimized when a decision that seems wrong actually has benefits. In the efforts of improving society, often ethics is violated. Sometimes in order for society to be better off as a whole, there has to be little sacrificing of ethical practices along the way to do so.
In other words, it means an action is only right if and only if and because the action will produce at least the maximizing outcome when compared to performing a different action at that time. Act utilitarianism is expressed only by actions with pleasurable results and the avoidance of any actions consequences that revolve around pain. In order to thoroughly understand act utilitarianism there are five fundamental elements that outline the significance of this theory. First, it is direct; the action is right or wrong due to the actual action’s consequences. Second, it follows a maximizing version of right conduct and yields the greatest value of right action. Next, it encompasses a welfarist theory and is universalist, meaning that all individuals will be considered when deciding the actions outcome. Lastly, it follows an impartialist model; all persons are equal when an action results in the same size benefit or loss to an
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
This paper will discuss the differences between rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism, and whether or not the former is an adequate alternative to the latter with regards to consistency with ideas of right and wrong. This topic is particularly poignant because, like many philosophical questions, it does not have a definite answer, as both sides have their own deficiencies.
The utilitarian faces many problems because he loses any ability to live a personal life. By this is meant that in making decisions the utilitarian must consider the steps which lead to the highest level of goodness in society. The utilitarian reaches for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Two main aspects dominate the light of utilitarian beliefs. The consequentialist principle explains that in determining the rightness or wrongness of an act one must examine the results that will follow. The utility principle is that you can only deem something to be good if it in itself will bring upon a specific desired state, such as happiness or fulfillment. There are two types of utilitarians: Act utilitarians and Rule utilitarians. An act utilitarian believes that a person must think things through before making a decision. The only exception to this idea applies with rules of thumb; decisions that need to be made spontaneously. The right act is the one that results in the most utility. Rule utilitarians believe that an act is only deemed appropriate if it fits in line with the outline of valid rules within a system of rules that target the most favorable outcome.
The ethical theory of utilitarianism has one basis, one must chose the action that will contribute to the greatest good; the greatest good for the greatest number. In any instance one may ask, which action will make the most people happy and how long? As a method
‘’Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that places the focus of right and wrong solely on the outcomes (consequences) of choosing one action and or policy over others (Cavalier, 1996)’’. It is a morally demanding position and asks one to do the
“Utilitarianism is the view that the supreme principle of morality is to act so as to produce as much happiness as possible, each person counting equally” (Mill, 114). By ‘happiness’, this includes anything that is pleasurable and free of pain. Simply put, utilitarianism is the theory that an action is right, as long as it produces the greatest good for the most number of people (Peetush). The central point to this theory is that one must consider every consequence before taking any action. There are two classical forms of utilitarianism; rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism. “Rule utilitarianism is the idea that an act is right if and only if it is required by a rule that is itself a member of a set of rules whose acceptance would lead to greater utility for society than any available alternative” (Pojman, 127). Take for instance, stopping at a red light. According to rule utilitarianism, stopping at a red light is an act required by a rule, in this case the law, which would also lead to greater utility for society because it prevents accidents from happening and having to wait in traffic, being late, etc. On the other hand, act utilitarianism assumes “an act is right if and only if it results in as much good as any available alternative” (Pojman, 126). Both rule utilitarianism and act utilitarianism have been criticised in several different aspects. It has been said that “the act-utilitarianism rule, to do the act that maximizes utility, is too general for most purposes” (Pojman, 127). Alongside, “an often debated question in ethics is whether rule utilitarianism is a consistent version of utilitarianism” (Pojman, 127). The purpose of this paper will be to demonstrate how the arguments supporting utilitarianism are no...
In this paper I will be explicating in depth the ethical theory of Utilitarianism. I will be analyzing the controversy surrounding the theory, as well as the related topics of consequentialism and the idea of what is intrinsically and extrinsically valuable. Utilitarianism, the idea that the best moral decision is the decision that benefits the most people, is a morally wrong ethical theory as it devalues individuals rights and freedoms for the betterment of others.
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
Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism and a theory in normative ethics. According to utilitarianism, this is a theory that it is concerned on whether an action will result the greatest amount of pleasure (happiness) for the greater number of individuals (Shafer-Landau, 2014, p.138). In order to address the scenario given, the terminology of the two forms of utilitarianism (act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism) and deontology need to be understood so it can be applied on how and why each type will act in this specific scenario.
Classical utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory which holds that an action can only be considered as morally right where its consequences bring about the greatest amount of good to the greatest number (where 'good' is equal to pleasure minus pain). Likewise, an action is morally wrong where it fails to maximise good. Since it was first articulated in the late 19th Century by the likes of Jeremy Bentham and later John Stewart Mill, the classical approach to utilitarianism has since become the basis for many other consequentialist theories such as rule-utilitarianism and act-utilitarianism upon which this essay will focus (Driver, 2009). Though birthed from the same utilitarian principle of maximising good, rule-utilitarianism and act-utilitarianism provide two very different accounts on how the maximising of good should be approached. This essay will compare these two approaches and try to ascertain whether rule-utilitarianism is indeed preferable to act-utilitarianism.
The Utilitarian Approach: the ethical decision should provides the greatest good for the greatest number;
Utilitarianism is a movement in ethics which began in the late eighteenth centaury and is primarily associated with the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham and was later adapted and fully developed by John Stuart Mill in the ninetieth century. . The theory states that we should try to achieve ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’. Utilitarianism is a teleological theory of ethics. Teleological theories of ethics look at the consequences to decide whether an action is right or wrong. Utilitarianism is defined as a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of it consequences: specifically: a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible
The principal aim of this assignment is to understand the difference between ethics and morals and their perspectives because it seems that most people think that both are the same and they think it is not an important topic to apply in our daily life and business. Since I was a child, I had learnt in different ways the meaning of ethics and morals, so I did know the difference between each other, although to be honest when I started this course I was still confused. Therefore, during this course, I will learn more knowledge and I will have the ability to explain each topic. The main goal is to know the meaning of each word and the differences, and then let me explain the ethical perspectives such as utilitarianism,