...morally right or wrong. In this paper, I will explain the fascinating ethical theory of Utilitarianism and discuss about two very influential people to Utilitarianism, who are Jeremy Bentham, and John Stuart Mill. Along with discussing their contributes to this theory, I will evaluate their personal perspective on Utilitarianism and determine which is more plausible between the two. Ultimately, by doing this I will be able to support the idea that Utilitarianism is not an overall plausible ethical theory to follow. Utilitarianism is a type ethical theory from the ethical objective theory called Consequentialism. Much like in the Consequentialism theory, where morally right and wrong decisions are completely dependent on the consequences produce by an action, morality in Utilitarianism is reliant on the utility of the consequences produced by an action. Utility in this sense means the usefulness of a consequence or the benefits the consequence brings to those all affect by the action. Utilitarians have a strong focus on doing actions that produce the most good. This is due to the principle of utility, which in Utilitarianism states that an action is right if it produces the greatest possibly utility for all those affected by the action. In other words, if an action produces the most good, pleasure, for that situation then that action is right. Unlike in other ethical theories, in Utilitarianism an action is morally right only when it produce the most pleasure. According to Epicurus...
Words: 1910 - Pages: 8
...Traditionally, the basis of utilitarianism is to do what will result in the greatest good for the most amount of people. However, in the article I read; Analyzing Insider Trading from the Perspectives of Utilitarian Ethics and Rights Theory written by Robert McGee, McGee described that as a bit of an outdated perspective. He instead gave a description of what he sees as the “modern utilitarian position”, where in order for something to be considered ethical, the gains would simply need to exceed the losses. He uses both of these definitions of utilitarianism to weigh the ethical correctness of insider trading and to address the common arguments against such practices from a utilitarian standpoint. The most obvious strength of this approach is that it serves to benefit the most amount of people. In his article, McGee emphasizes that efficiency is not a substitute for ethics, which I see as paralleling utilitarianism and is another aspect that makes it such a rational approach. This ensures that even though there may be a way to do something better/faster, if it doesn’t result in a positive outcome for the most amount of people, it isn’t the right thing to do. Using the example given in the article, although insider trading may increase efficiency for a single company, the hit that competing companies would most likely take as a result would eliminate any benefit to the larger population. The strengths of such an approach are ideal, seeing as regardless of all else, they would...
Words: 620 - Pages: 3
...In chapter five of Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill attempts to correlate the human sentiments of justice with the principles of his Utilitarian doctrine. His task is to identify whether justice exists by itself or is derived by other sentiments. In so doing, he must also identify the range of our conceptions of justice to determine whether his theory can suitably address the demands of moral thinking. Mill does not describe every variety of the human notion of justice -- he could not have. The point of this exercise has been to bring into view a more complete picture of justice, and to demonstrate that a good deal of it may be served on the basis of utility. There are circumstances where the bonds of the doctrine as a whole are stretched, and that is to be expected, as far as moral theories are concerned. In many cases, choosing right action can be simplified by referring to the events and outcomes in human history. Human affairs have long required moral thinking and to ensure stability within our societies, certain standards of morally-correct behavior have emerged. Mill outlines these common elements of justice beginning with the moral impositions of our societies, namely, laws. A law is a system of rules which protect certain personal liberties or property and are enforced through a set of institutions. A law is usually intended to protect a person's or peoples moral right, though the stipulations of a law may not always receive unanimous agreement. Mill finds justice...
Words: 1113 - Pages: 5
...Utilitarianism ENG300 Information Literacy Assessment [Type the author name] This paper will discuss utilitarianism, its origins and how we can apply it to our lives today. I will show what would happen if everyone adopted this code of ethics and reasoning, and why I chose it. Utilitarianism What is Utilitarianism? According to our textbooks, utilitarianism is the ethical system which believes that which is ethical is what will bring the greatest good or happiness to the greatest number of people (Turner, 2006). In a direct quote from the American Heritage Dictionary, utilitarianism is the ethical theory proposed by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill that all action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). Though there are many varieties of the view discussed, utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the morally right action is the action that produces the most good. There are many ways to spell out this general claim. One thing to note is that the theory is a form of consequentialism: the right action is understood entirely in terms of consequences produced. What distinguishes utilitarianism from egoism has to do with the scope of the relevant consequences. On the utilitarian view one ought to maximize the overall good — that is, consider the good of others as well as one's own good (Driver, 2009).A well-known dialogue by Leonard...
Words: 865 - Pages: 4
...Utilitarianism is a moral theory generally considered to have been founded by Jeremy Bentham, a 19th century English philosopher and social reformer. It is centered on the concept of happiness, and those who seek it. The idea is that all people seek happiness, and that it is the ultimate goal of all human beings to be happy. Therefore, according to classical utilitarianism, when a person wishes to act in an ethically sound manner he or she should strive to bring about the greatest possible amount of happiness for the greatest possible amount of people. This is known as the greatest happiness attitude. Another, similar idea is that a person should always strive, if incapable of producing happiness, to reduce unhappiness. As the theory is wholly focused on the outcome of a person’s actions, it is classed as a “consequentialist” theory, i.e. a theory that concerns it with consequences and not actions in themselves. Utilitarianism can be seen as a highly mathematical theorem, looking at the total units of happiness that a particular action gives rise to. For instance, I might want to go out and have drinks with some friends and my boyfriend or I could find something more family oriented and do something fun with my son and my boyfriend. Consider that my son is only little for a short time, would I rather have drinks and regret the hang over later or share a memory with my little boy. Taking my son out for a night might add 10 units of happiness to the world’s total stock, whereas...
Words: 911 - Pages: 4
...The principle of utilitarianism the moral test for the rightness or wrongness of an action. It is based on the principle of utility, aiming to maximise pleasure and minimize pain. The word utility comes from the Greek “utilis” meaning beneficial/useful theory. It is a teleological consequential argument, as everything is focused on the end result and whether or not it generates happiness. It is relative to the situation as can bend the rules, allowing hedonistic acts to occur, hedonistic acts are those which are selfish pleasures. There are two types of utilitarianism Act and Rule and they vary in the following ways. Jeremy Bentham is the founder of Act Utilitarianism, and his theory is quantitive. He focuses on making the majority of people happy “greatest happiness for the greatest number”. Bentham stated “pushpin is just as good as poetry” as it wax his belief that all pleasures were the same. However John Stuart Mill who is the founder of Rule Utilitarianism his theory is qualative, and believes that there are higher and lower pleasures. Higher pleasures being those which stimulate the brain e.g. poetry and lower pleasures being those that have a physically pleasuring sensation directly to the body e.g. sexual intercourse. Mill justifies his belief by stating “poetry is superior to pushpin” criticising Bentham’s idea that all pleasures are of the same depth. Mill emphasises the fact that higher pleasures are far superior to lower pleasures by stating “it is better...
Words: 1587 - Pages: 7
...Utilitarianism A moral doctrine is something everyone must have to go about making decisions in every day life. One’s moral values dictate his or her choices and ultimately control how the person lives. Of the numerous ethical theories that exist, utilitarianism is one of the most interesting and difficult to understand. While a utilitarian way of living may seem like an attractive existence to some, I believe it has some major flaws. Utilitarianism is a moral theory that states that a decision or action is only morally right if it conforms to the standard of utility. This means that the utilitarian will do something if and only if it produces more pleasure or less pain for all persons affected, than any other choice. This definition is essentially the same as the one for consequentialism, but utilitarianism also includes the theories of hedonism and eudaimonism. These two theories differ in that hedonism holds that pleasure and the avoidance of pain are the only things with intrinsic value, while eudaimonism states that only happiness has intrinsic value, and that happiness is more than just pleasure. Though some of the aspects of utilitarianism are certainly attractive, there is one main flaw to this moral theory. This belief states that the only important factor to be considered when making a decision, is the outcome. Utilitarianism fails to consider the action or motive involved in the choice. These two factors are of the utmost importance in the decision making process...
Words: 727 - Pages: 3
...(i) Examine the key features of utilitarianism (21) (ii) To what extent are the concepts undermined by relevant criticisms (9) Utilitarianism was founded by the scholar Jeremy Bentham in the time in which both enlightenment (the point at which people were starting to turn to science over religion) and the industrial revolution ( when an influx of people flocked to the cities to find work- this caused extreme poverty, poor living conditions and an outbreak of disease and death. Bentham’s theory is teleological and focuses mainly on the end goal. Similarly it is consequentialist, therefore its main focus is not on the process but on the outcome. The theory is also secular and is therefore non-religious (hence the link to enlightenment) and it is relativist, making it flexible as there are no fixed rules. The principle of utility and the key to Bentham’s utilitarianism, also known as act utilitarianism is that it seeks the greatest good for the greatest number. This means that in a circumstance where there is a lot of people to think about you would do the thing which caused pleasure or benefitted the majority, e.g torturing a terrorist to find out where they had planted a bomb so that more lives could be saved. The famous principle of utilitarianism was coined by Sir Francis Hutchson. Another important feature of Act Utilitarianism is that it is hedonistic and therefore tries to seek out the greatest amount of pleasure for the greatest number of people....
Words: 498 - Pages: 2
...Utilitarianism Essay Shirnel Charles Grand Canyon University: PHI-305 Ethical Thinking in Liberal Arts Instructor John Wise September 21, 2014 The Story of Ethics states that the point of the Utilitarian theory is to conceptualize exactly what is good life by “bringing about consequences of a certain sort that is the greatest happiness for the greatest number” (The Story of Ethics). The Story of Ethics also states that the Utilitarian principle of greatest happiness for the greatest number was first popularized by Jeremy Bentham who according to the Lecture Note “version of utilitarianism is known as quantitative utilitarianism” (Lecture Note). According to The Story of Ethics Bentham states that the principle of utility recognizes right and wrong and the causes and effects from right and wrong. These effects can lead to the nature of mankind being either in pain or pleasure and “Bentham assumes that one can only act according to their aversion to pain or desire for pleasure” (The Story of Ethics). The understanding that I have gained from Bentham’s theory is that good and bad is judged by pleasure and pain that is the greater the pleasure the greater the good and the greater the pain the greater the bad. Bentham’s theory is the ethical position that influenced both John Stuart Mill and his father James Mill. According to an article in the Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia “the central aim of John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism is to defend the view that those...
Words: 992 - Pages: 4
...A Utilitarian's Moral Solution Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation A Utilitarian's Moral Solution Utilitarianism holds that the morally right course of action in a situation is that action that produces the highest balance of benefits over harms for the affected people. In this case, we are looking for the cause of action that produces the maximum benefit for everyone (Sheng, 1991). Available Causes of Action There are two causes of action available in this case. The first one is avoiding using the stick of dynamite to get the woman unstuck. This will generate an advantage of saving the life of the pregnant woman and the kid. Though, this action will generate the harm of killing all the members of the group following her from the cave by drowning in the high tide. The second cause of action is using the stick of dynamite. This course of action will generate a benefit of getting the woman loose and, maybe, getting the mouth of the cave open to save the group that faces the risk of drowning in the high tide. Though, this course of action is likely to generate two harms. Striking the woman with the stick of dynamite will indicate killing her and the kid. The second harm is that dynamite is highly explosive. It may cause the cave to collapse and kill all the people, including the pregnant woman. The Best Course of Action The best course of action is avoiding using the dynamite stick. I choose this action because it generates the greatest benefits after taking into account...
Words: 389 - Pages: 2
...“Men lose their high aspirations as they lose their intellectual tastes, because they have no time or opportunity for indulging them; and they addict themselves to inferior pleasures, not because they deliberately prefer them, but because they are either the only ones to which they have access, or the only ones which they are any longer capable of enjoying.” This quote is especially important for understanding Mill’s defense of utilitarianism in front of critiques that suggest this doctrine to be one of immediate pleasure; a doctrine that will stop people from accelerating their development and enriching their character through knowledge. The critique addresses the focus of utilitarianism as a doctrine that emphasizes immediate and animalistic pleasures and turns them into the main reason for being. Mill’s response is trying to reconcile the idea of a dual man, one that enjoys animalistic pleasures as well as, what the author calls, superior pleasures that come with knowledge and experience. The argument proposes the idea of a bifocal man, capable of both superior and inferior pleasures. The explanation offered in this quote explains the subordination relationship between the two, and how man is capable of avoiding regression into his/hers animalistic instinct without giving up the non-refined pleasure of life. Mill’s hypothesis is that a person is always going to choose the elevated, educated pleasure over the inferior one, because once taste is acquired of the...
Words: 506 - Pages: 3
...Utilitarianism ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● 1. Introduction Utilitarianism is one of the most powerful and persuasive approaches to normative ethics in the history of philosophy. Though not fully articulated until the 19th century, proto-utilitarian positions can be discerned throughout the history of ethical theory. Though there are many varieties of the view discussed, utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the morally right action is the action that produces the most good. There are many ways to spell out this general claim. One thing to note is that the theory is a form of consequentialism: the right action is understood entirely in terms of consequences produced. What distinguishes utilitarianism from egoism has to do with the scope of the relevant consequences. On the utilitarian view one ought to maximize the overall good — that is, consider the good of others as well as one's own good. The Classical Utilitarians, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, identified the good with pleasure, so, like Epicurus, were hedonists about value. They also held that we ought to maximize the good, that is, bring about ‘the greatest amount of good for the greatest number’. Utilitarianism is also distinguished by impartiality and agent-neutrality. Everyone's happiness counts the same. When one maximizes the good, it is the good impartially considered. My good count for no more than anyone else’s good. Further, the reason I have to promote the overall good is the same...
Words: 17864 - Pages: 72
...Utilitarianism Overview 1. Fundamental Tenets of Utilitarianism 2. Standards of Utility/History of Utilitarianism 3. The Utilitarian Calculus 4. Act and Rule Utilitarianism 5. Criticisms of Utilitarianism 6. Concluding Assessment Basic Insights of Utilitarianism n The purpose of morality is to make the world a better place. n Morality is about producing good consequences, not having good intentions n We should do whatever will bring the most benefit (i.e., intrinsic value) to all of humanity. n The Purpose of Morality n The utilitarian has a very simple answer to the question of why morality exists at all: – The purpose of morality is to guide people’s actions in such a way as to produce a better world. n Consequently, the emphasis in utilitarianism is on consequences, not intentions. Fundamental Imperative nThe fundamental imperative of utilitarianism is: Always act in the way that will produce the greatest overall amount of good in the world. –The emphasis is clearly on consequences, not intentions. The Emphasis on the Overall Good n We often speak of “utilitarian” solutions in a disparaging tone, but in fact utilitarianism is a demanding moral position that often asks us to put aside self-interest for the sake of the whole. n Utilitarianism is a morally demanding position for two reasons: – It always asks us to do the most, to maximize utility, not to do the minimum. ...
Words: 1813 - Pages: 8
...Utilitarianism John Stuart Mill’s ethical theory is known as Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism, according to Mill, is about judging the moral rightness/wrongness of an action by looking at if the outcomes produce the best balance of good over bad for all concerned. Mill develops his theory of Utilitarianism through five major tenets; the greatest happiness principle, the definition of happiness, the hierarchy of pleasures, and the impartial spectator. The foundation of Utilitarianism lays in Mill’s definition of happiness and the Greatest Happiness Principle. Mill defines happiness as the promotion of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. After defining happiness, Mill provides what he calls the “creed” of the foundation of Utilitarianism, the Greatest Happiness Principle. 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. The Greatest Happiness Principle uses an utilitarian standard; for that standard is not the agent’s own greatest happiness, but the greatest amount of happiness altogether; and if it may possibly be doubted whether a noble character is always the happier for its nobleness, there can be no doubt that it makes other people happier, and that the world in general is immensely a gainer by it (Mill 516). Mill states that humans are able to experience a higher level of pleasure than animals in the statement: “To suppose that life has (as they express...
Words: 1159 - Pages: 5
...Explain the main features of the theory of Utilitarianism The theory of Utilitarianism takes its name from the Latin word Utilis, meaning ‘useful’. It was first developed by Jeremy Bentham, a philosopher and legal theorist of the 18th century. Bentham sought to produce a modern and rational approach to morality which would suit the changing society of the industrial age. Utilitarianism may be regarded as a relativist and teleological system of ethics, prescribing no fixed moral rules and judging an action by its consequences or end result (Greek: telos). Bentham argued that one should maximise happiness for the majority, ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’ a view which is known as the ‘Utility Principle’. Happiness was thus equated with moral goodness. Good is seen by Bentham as the maximisation of pleasure and minimisation of pain or Happiness=pleasure-pain. This idea further identifies Bentham as a ‘psychological hedonist’, since he regarded humans as being primarily motivated by pleasure and the avoidance of pain. A contented society would be a good society. In assessing the consequences of actions, Utilitarianism relies upon a theory of intrinsic value: something is held to be good in itself, apart from further consequences, and all other values are believed to derive their worth from their relation to this intrinsic good as a means to an end. Bentham and Mill analysed happiness as a balance of pleasure over pain and believed that these feelings alone are...
Words: 1010 - Pages: 5
