Both utilitarianism and virtue ethics have their individual strengths and weaknesses regarding moral situations. In this essay‚ I will proceed to first summarize the core concepts of both utilitarianism and virtue ethics. Then‚ I will introduce a scenario that will be used to compare the two ethical frameworks side by side based on what decision they would entail. Finally‚ I will argue that virtue ethics is morally better than utilitarianism‚ even if the outcomes of utilitarianism seem to be more
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UTILITARIANISM Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds that an action is right if it produces‚ or if it tends to produce‚ the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people affected by the action. Otherwise the action is wrong. This cost-benefit analysis is a form of utility calculation. People in business theory use utility curves to plot the results of various actions‚ choosing those that maximize whatever it is that they wish to achieve. This utility approach is not foreign
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Act utilitarianism states that‚ when faced with a choice‚ we must first consider the likely consequences of potential actions and‚ from that‚ choose to do what we believe will generate the most pleasure. The rule utilitarian‚ on the other hand‚ begins by looking at potential rules of action. To determine whether a rule should be followed‚ he or she looks at what would happen if it were constantly followed. If adherence to the rule produces more happiness than otherwise‚ it is a rule that morally
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Ethics essay – Utilitarianism a.) Explain the main differences between the utilitarianism of Bentham and that of Mill. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that looks at the concept of `utility`‚ or the usefulness of actions. Two of the most famous Utilitarians were Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill; Bentham was the first to introduce the theory‚ and his views were more similar to that of Act Utilitarianism. Mill on the other hand differed in his views‚ and his intention was to improve the theory
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Explain Utilitarianism Utilitarianism was developed in the 18th century by Hutcheson‚ who used the phrase ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’ to describe his theory. Hutcheson’s idea‚ seeks to find a rational means of assessing how best to put this promotion of happiness into practice. It is split into two types; Act Utilitarianism‚ this is the earliest form in which what is deemed right is based on the assessment of results of a particular action‚ and Rule Utilitarianism which allows
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Immanuel Kant‚ in his deontology ethics‚ believes that morality relates to the matter of duty and people have the moral duties to do what is the right and not to do what is wrong. He focuses his theory on good will‚ duty and categorical imperatives as the basis for the principle of morality. Therefore‚ this essay will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Kant’s deontology with regard to his arguments on good will‚ duty and categorical imperatives. GOOD WILL Initially‚ Kant points out the idea
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I will analyze the ethical theories of Utilitarianism and Deontology and the principles of justice‚ nonmalificence and autonomy. The question persists‚ should the fact that someone has essentially caused their own disease eliminate them from the chance of having a transplant (Williamson‚ 1997)? According to the utilitarian school of thought‚ the right action is that which has the greatest utility or usefulness (Burkhardt & Nathaniel‚ 2014). Utilitarianism is also described as a consequence-based
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OBJECTIONS TO UTIILITARIANISM SECTION (1) INTRODUCTION We noted‚ last week‚ that UTILITARIANISM is a version of CONSEQUENTIALISM in that it holds that the RIGHT action (in any given situation) is the action WHICH HAS THE WHICH HAS THE BEST CONSEQUENCES; CONSEQUENTIALIST ethical theories may be contrasted
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#1 Morality and Utilitarianism in Tennyson’s Godiva Tennyson’s poem “Godiva” follows its narrator’s recreation of the tale. Through this retelling‚ readers can see how Victorian ideas influenced Tennyson’s work. The piece is marked by a tension between utilitarianism‚ exemplified by Lady Godiva’s husband‚ and humanist ethics‚ demonstrated by Lady Godiva’s actions. Through this historical struggle‚ the narrator’s comments on modern society can be seen. He finds the utilitarianism useless; instead
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Utilitarianism is the ethical doctrine which essentially states that which is good is that which brings about the most happiness to the most people. John Stuart Mill believed that the decisions we make should always benefit the most people as much as possible regardless of the consequences to the minority or even yourself. He would say all that matters in the decision of right versus wrong is the amount of happiness produced by the consequences. In the decisions we make Mill would say that we need
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