Animal Rights Throughout history morality has been a topic of intense debate. Innumerable thinkers have devoted immense amounts of time and energy to the formulation of various ethical theories intended to assist humans in their daily lives. These theories set out guidelines which help to determine the rightness or wrongness of any given action and can therefore illuminate which choice would be morally beneficial. And while many of these theories differ substantially‚ most have at least one common
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Utilitarianism theories hold that the moral worth of actions or practices is determined by their consequences. An action or practice is right if it leads to the best possible balance of good consequences over bad consequences for all affected parties. (Arnold‚ pp 17) Utility = whatever produces pleasure or happiness‚ and prevents pain or suffering. Utilitarianism = an ethical philosophy that says the most ethical decision or course of action is the one that maximize utility. Utilitarianism
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Utilitarianism argues that the best action is always the one that yields maximum utility. The core idea behind this theory is that the effects of actions determine whether the action is morally right or wrong. According to utilitarian’s‚ the function of morality is to increase what is good‚ for example happiness and pleasure‚ and decrease the occurrence of bad things. It follows that actions are morally right to the extent that they produce the greatest good for the greatest number. Actions are wrong
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Explain Bentham’s Utilitarianism: (30 Marks) A man called Jeremy Bentham had a theory called the ‘Utilitarianism theory’. He was born in London at the time of the great scientific and social change and wrote ‘The Principles of Morals and Legislation’ in 1789. Bentham had the theory that all humans seek pleasure and avoid pain at all costs. Utilitarianism has been described as an act or a rule rather than a theory. We break this down into three parts: -Motivation: Bentham was a hedonists (‘Hedone’
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"Utilitarianism is the best approach to extra marital sex" Extramarital sex occurs when a married person engages in sexual activity with someone other than their marriage partner‚ this would also be known as infidelity or audltary which had the consequence of being stonned to death in the times of Jesus " If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife-with the wife of his neighbour-both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10). The negative association with sex
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Criticisms of Utilitarianism Though there are many supporters of utilitarianism given the fact that this theory prioritizes the benefits of the happiness and satisfaction of the majority not the minority‚ there are some philosophers and scholar who critique its implications. - Distastefulness: The argument from distaste is often expressed as a suggestion that utilitarianism doesn’t provide enough support for individuals’ rights. It says that just in order to achieve its goal‚ utilitarianism won’t
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Sabina Leng Outline the important features of utilitarianism (21 marks) The theory of utilitarianism determines the rightness or wrongness of an action by its consequence. The theory uses a teleological approach where it primarily focuses on the amount of pain or pleasure created as the result of a given action. As such‚ it moves beyond the scope of one’s own interests and takes into account the interests of others. Utilitarianism is a relativist system of which most versions do not set out
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the positions based on John Stuart Mill ’s ’Utilitarianism ’ ethical theory‚ and Immanuel Kant ’s ’Categorical Imperative ’ ethical theory. According to Utilitarianism‚ euthanasia can be morally justified‚ whereas according to Kantianism‚ euthanasia is not morally justifiable; but I will argue that neither position provides an adequate resolution to the issue‚ due to the significant flaws that are
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of recreational drug use. And by turning to one of the most influential moral theories‚ utilitarianism‚ I arrive at supporting ethical means founded simply on happiness. Maintaining the intrinsic value of human happiness is one of the most important aspects of universal utilitarianism. Self-determination‚ or the process of self-regulating decisions and actions‚ is another important aspect that utilitarianism concerns itself with. Therefore‚ as human beings‚ we should permit ourselves to the utmost
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Brink offers a reply in two parts to Williams’ claim that Utilitarianism fails to give the appropriate moral weight to an agent’s personal point of view. First‚ Brink (1986: 431) denies that Utilitarianism fails to account for the individual preferences of the agent. He asserts that the Utilitarian recognises autonomy as a valuable component to be considered in Utilitarian calculus. That being so‚ he acknowledges that the principle of impartiality requires that any value to be attributed to an agent’s
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