Examples Of Utilitarianism
The ethical theory that an act you choose should produce the greatest amount of pleasure or happiness and the least amount of pain or suffering, is known as Utilitarianism. However, this theory is not about your happiness alone, but about making the greatest moral choices, that brings the utmost happiness to everyone. This theory comes from consequentialism which is a family of concepts that share the same idea; if an act creates positive results, then it is thought to be good.
Utilitarian’s must consider each separate case on its own facts; there is no wrong or right action, only that which extends the over-all happiness. Therefore, how a Utilitarian chooses to deal with the issue of abortion would be decided on a case by case basis. They …show more content…
would examine if there are any possible benefits to going forward with this action. They would consider the consequences of terminating a pregnancy and determine if the action would possible cause harm. Next, they could then try to calculate the balance of the options that are available. In addition, they would try to decide if the outcome of going through with the termination of a pregnancy; by examining if having the procedure would produce the greatest action of good offered.
Other considerations may include a utilitarian’s judgement concerning their ethical beliefs.
Their thoughts about the moral acceptance of performing or not to perform an abortion, or only under certain circumstance are abortions acceptable. Even though, utilitarianism isn’t about your personal beliefs, it is about the greater good; they may still search for a moral reason to defend the outcome of the choices that are made. In some circumstance it may be that the greater good would call for the abortion. This could happen in a life or death situation; an example may be that both mother and child would die if you go forth with the pregnancy. However, if you terminate the pregnancy you could save one life, rather than losing two. Additionally, it may also depend on the type of utilitarian you are dealing with. While an Act Utilitarian believes that only good is essentially important; if that act maximizes the well-being it becomes morally decent. In that case, it could be the decision of the mother and depending on the situation, abortion could be thought morally acceptable. This sometimes is the case when there is no medical reason a pregnancy would cause pain, but maybe a mental reason; for instance, the pregnancy may be an outcome of
rape. Thoughts that a Utilitarian would contemplate about the ethics of abortion are, what other alternatives are available to bear in mind? One may think of looking into the possibility of adoption. They may wonder if they are making the right decision or the wrong decision. Are the choices that they are making positively going to produce the best conclusion, that will bring the most good? While, this is a good question, in the end, the answers that a utilitarian comes up with is only a guess; because, the right answers are not foreseeable. We cannot tell the future; therefore, once a decision is made and action has been taken, we would never know if the decision that was made was the best one.
When referring to the subject of abortion the theory of utilitarianism may be measured appropriate because, it offers choices to an action that you can take under the circumstances. Although, moral choice is an important part of any decision; this theory is based on the greatest good and the least pain. Consequently, if a decision is made using this theory it may not always produce the best moral decision; this is seen when balancing the outcome of greatest good and the least pain outweighs the morality of the decision.
Utilitarian’s must consider each separate case on its own facts; there is no wrong or right action, only that which extends the over-all happiness. Therefore, how a Utilitarian chooses to deal with the issue of abortion would be decided on a case by case basis. They …show more content…
would examine if there are any possible benefits to going forward with this action. They would consider the consequences of terminating a pregnancy and determine if the action would possible cause harm. Next, they could then try to calculate the balance of the options that are available. In addition, they would try to decide if the outcome of going through with the termination of a pregnancy; by examining if having the procedure would produce the greatest action of good offered.
Other considerations may include a utilitarian’s judgement concerning their ethical beliefs.
Their thoughts about the moral acceptance of performing or not to perform an abortion, or only under certain circumstance are abortions acceptable. Even though, utilitarianism isn’t about your personal beliefs, it is about the greater good; they may still search for a moral reason to defend the outcome of the choices that are made. In some circumstance it may be that the greater good would call for the abortion. This could happen in a life or death situation; an example may be that both mother and child would die if you go forth with the pregnancy. However, if you terminate the pregnancy you could save one life, rather than losing two. Additionally, it may also depend on the type of utilitarian you are dealing with. While an Act Utilitarian believes that only good is essentially important; if that act maximizes the well-being it becomes morally decent. In that case, it could be the decision of the mother and depending on the situation, abortion could be thought morally acceptable. This sometimes is the case when there is no medical reason a pregnancy would cause pain, but maybe a mental reason; for instance, the pregnancy may be an outcome of
rape. Thoughts that a Utilitarian would contemplate about the ethics of abortion are, what other alternatives are available to bear in mind? One may think of looking into the possibility of adoption. They may wonder if they are making the right decision or the wrong decision. Are the choices that they are making positively going to produce the best conclusion, that will bring the most good? While, this is a good question, in the end, the answers that a utilitarian comes up with is only a guess; because, the right answers are not foreseeable. We cannot tell the future; therefore, once a decision is made and action has been taken, we would never know if the decision that was made was the best one.
When referring to the subject of abortion the theory of utilitarianism may be measured appropriate because, it offers choices to an action that you can take under the circumstances. Although, moral choice is an important part of any decision; this theory is based on the greatest good and the least pain. Consequently, if a decision is made using this theory it may not always produce the best moral decision; this is seen when balancing the outcome of greatest good and the least pain outweighs the morality of the decision.