Examples Of Act Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism This castaway-esque example brings forth many strong considerations from a utilitarian perspective. The first of many considerations would be that you as the individual ought to do what is deemed morally right for the greatest amount of people, maximizing utility and reducing potential suffering of others. In this specific case, I would have to not look in my own interest anymore and instead, take into account the interests of others (The estranged adult child and woman whom you made the promise to). I would also have to take happiness into consideration, seeing as happiness is central to the utilitarian beliefs. Whatever my ruling may be in this situation, I have to make the decision based on what promotes the capability of achieving happiness, or higher pleasures, for the maximum amount of individuals all without the infliction of unnecessary pain.
Anther consideration would be from the viewpoints of act and rule utilitarianism.
Act utilitarianism basically says that a persons act is morally right if it produces at least as much happiness as any other act that the person could be preforming at the same time. Somewhat similar to a opportunity cost. Rule utilitarianism, on the other hand, determines the validity of rules of conduct, like moral principles. I think that in the end, however, act and rule utilitarianism viewpoints will disagree with each other. In this case, act utilitarianism would suggest that I should donate the money or give it away to a larger group of people. Through act-utilitarianism, those acts would be morally right and would end up benefitting many more individuals than just giving it to one person, the estranged daughter. On the other hand, rule utilitarianism would suggest that it is deemed morally right to not break a promise and therefore, respect the woman’s final request and give the money to the estranged
daughter. I personally believe that I should follow along with the rule-utilitarianism beliefs. I think that breaking a promise is deemed morally wrong in todays society. If everyone who made a promise let it fall through, there would inevitably be no trust in the world. This specific woman trusted in me that I would give the money to her estranged daughter. Breaking such a promise wold be deemed morally wrong and would be equitable to breaking a moral principle (or rule). Having these kinds of “rules” in a society, like promise-keeping, maximizes utility by upholding the value of honesty and limiting deceitfulness within our society. My analysis of this case makes me think that for the most part, utilitarianism is a sound philosophy. It lets the individual take themselves out of the matter/problem and think about others, for a change. I think utilitarianism is one of the more level headed philosophies and even though it has many criticisms, I believe it is a sound and respectable philosophy that is easy to base morally right judgements off of.