Utilitarianism Essay

The primary form of consequentialism used by the majority of individuals when making ethical decisions is known as Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism weighs the outcomes by whether they create pleasure or pain for the individuals involved. This creates a standard when evaluating the consequences rather than allow the individual to create their own (Kyte 108). Even though there is a plethora of different pleasures and pains of various forms and severities. Since we often choose familiar pleasure, only an individual familiar in both side can voice their opinion based on their understanding of both sides. However, it is not always easy to make accurate predictions on the outcomes and also consider the consequences of every individual that could be effected by the decision (Kyte 120, 122). Even though we understand the concept of consequences, it is not easy to think of every potential one, how they affect others, and whether they cause pleasure or

This means that some decisions may seem totally acceptable and justifiable by man’s standards, but in the end these same decisions lead to

As humans we have made many choices in our lives, some are quick and easy while others are difficult and takes time. But did we ever wonder if our choices are right or wrong? What is morally right? According to utilitarianism's fundamental principle of morality, the right choice is always the one that maximizes utility, it is the one that brings the most happiness and the least suffering. On paper this looks very good and ideal, because let's face it pretty much everyone wants happiness since it brings them pleasure and no one wants to suffer. However despite that, there have been many objections to this theory, one of which says utilitarianism is too high for humanity in which I disagree, this

Consider a case or thought experiment where act utilitarianism seems to give the wrong answer. How do you think the act utilitarian should deal with this case?

in that it holds that the RIGHT action (in any given situation) is the action WHICH HAS

Opponents of Act Utilitarianism attempt to argue that Act Utilitarianism (henceforth AU) does not account for justice when applied to ethical dilemmas. It is the authors opinion that these claims are factually incorrect and this essay shall attempt to prove this through analysis of common arguments against AU, and modifying AU to allow for justice to be more readily accounted for.

or wrong. Actions are the result of particular choices. People make choices for a specific reason

1 Right actions are those that result in the most beneficial balance of good over bad consequences.

I have always been one to side with a utilitarian’s point of view, such as Mill and Bentham. The greatest happiness of the greatest number, or as cold as it may be, sacrificing the few for the good of the many. Utilitarian moral theories evaluate the moral worth of action on the basis of happiness that is produced by an action. Whatever produces the most happiness in the most people is the moral course of action. I will give the best arguments against Utilitarianism, and show in my own opinion, why I think they are wrong.

In this paper I will describe what utilitarianism is, and what types of utilitarianism there are. I will apply my knowledge of act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism to a case, and discuss one limitation with either act or rule utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a moral theory based on the feeling of happiness. In utilitarianism, an action is morally right if it brings the most happiness to the greatest amount of people. An action is morally wrong if it does not bring happiness to the greatest number of people.

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory which acts as a guideline on how people should act in certain situations and was first introduced by a hedonist (pursuer of pleasure) named Jeremy Bentham who put forward the ‘Principle of Utility’ which said “The greatest happiness for the greatest number”. Utilitarianism is a theory which bases on the end purpose (teleological) of achieving pleasure, our decisions should be based on consequences in pursuit of the principle of utility (consequentialist) and is a theory which judges each situation independently (relativistic).

In chapter 9, I found utilitarianism the most intriguing lesson. It is a theory of ethics that assesses actions based on maximizing benefits in reducing the negatives; based on bouncing human interests. It was developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, it is a socially conscious approach to hedonism that holds that the greatest good is to promote happiness and alleviate suffering for the greatest number of people. ( Chaffee, 9.3) Utilitarianism is the most common moral theory practiced in the business world today, to break down what it is basically is morality of an act is judged by it's utility. The greatest utility that it has for the most people;

I think that the topic of Utilitarianism is interesting to me since I find myself using the greatest happiness principle throughout an everyday basis.Utilitarianism is defined as the ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility.Utilitarianism is essentially whichever action creates the most happiness for the greatest number of people is the right answer. People have considered utilitarianism controversial since not everyone agrees that the greatest happiness principle leads to the right choice,but rather to the wrong decision. The way that we approach this issue could potentially have severe consequences, on issues like immigration reform,campus carry,etc, if not agreed upon with the use of the greatest happiness principle. In this argumentative paper, I will argue that using utilitarianism and the greatest happiness principle would lead to the to the right decision.

This theory advocates that the actions worth is determined by maximizing utility (pleasure or happiness).it looks at the consequence of an action as to whether the outcome is good to the majority of people affected by it. According to Bentham, utilitarianism is the greatest happiness or greatest felicity principle. There are many types of this theory which include act vs. rule, two level, motive, negative and average vs. total. (Clifford G., John C. 2009) In act utilitarianism, when people have to make choices, they should consider the consequences of each choice and then choose that which will generate much pleasure.

Actions are to be judged right or wrong mainly by their own consequences. Nothing else matters. Right actions are those that have the best consequences.