there have been many ethical theories on what is the "correct" way to pursue pleasure. Epicureanism is based on the belief that goodness is in the form of tranquility and freedom from fear. These were achieved through knowledge and friendship. Utilitarianism states that the proper course of action is one that maximizes the overall good of the society. This action should obtain the greatest amount of total happiness. How do you tell which is right? I’d say that’s entirely the prerogative of every individual
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Utilitarianism 1. Moral theories can be divided into two major types‚ teleological and deontological. In teleological theories‚ (moral) right is derived from a theory of the (non-moral) good‚ or what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved. In Greek‚ telos means ‘goal’ or ‘aim.’ In deontological theories‚ (moral) right is derived without a theory of (non-moral) good‚ or what choice is (morally) right regardless of the end consequences. In Greek‚ deon means ‘duty.’ Utilitarian theories are
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COMPARE UTILITARIAN AND DEONTOLOGICAL THEORIES Utilitarianism is the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined by its usefulness. In maximizing utility and minimizing negative utility‚ in short it can be defined as pleasure minus pain. Deontology means duty or obligation. This theory was founded by a German philosopher‚ Immanuel Kant (1724-1804). According to Kant‚ it is the only way of making moral decisions. Another definition for deontology is that it is an approach to the justification
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Paper #1 In A Critique of Utilitarianism‚ Bernard Williams argues that when following a Utilitarian approach for moral dilemmas‚ Utilitarianism might have us sacrifice or modify our moral integrity. Williams explains this argument with a hypothetical execution situation with protagonist Jim. Jim‚ who is a botanical expeditionary‚ accidentally wanders in the central square of a small South American town. There‚ he finds twenty Indians tied up in a row‚ with several armed soldiers standing in front
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Biography “Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher” that “is primarily known” for his philosophical contribution‚ the ethical theory of utilitarianism (Sweet). Utilitarianism is the ethical theory that states that the best action is the one that brings about the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people (DeGeorge 44). Specifically‚ Bentham was a hedonistic utilitarian arguing that “what ultimately motivates us is pleasure and pain” (Sweet). Bentham over the course of his life gave a lot
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best arguments against Utilitarianism‚ and show in my own opinion‚ why I think they are wrong. The strongest counterargument against Utilitarianism would have to be Sterling Harwood’s eleven objections to the theory. Sterling Harwood states that even he does not accept all eleven of his objections‚ but he merely wants to survey a large number of objections and provoke further discussion. (p. 186) Harwood’s objections are applied to all twelve versions of Utilitarianism‚ which are motive‚ act
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Moral Law is a rule or a group of rules of right living conceived as universal and unchanging. Moral law is a system of guidelines for behavior. These guidelines may or may not be part of a religion‚ codified in written form‚ or legally enforceable. For some people moral law is synonymous with the commands of a divine being. For others‚ moral law is a set of universal rules that should apply to everyone.(SR‚ page 87) It is understood to combine the pinnacle of “Natural Law” and “Deontological reasoning”
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goods; good because of their nature. Value of human life because of its nature‚ value justice. Instrumental goods; good because of what it can do or get us‚ help us get other things that we desire. Health has both Hedonism‚ pleasure of good Hedonistic Paradox If you want happiness don’t aim for it. Put up with the bad to get the long term good. Are values objective or subjective? Plato: good have value independent of human. Objective/everything will still be good.no one believes in god
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Ethical Theories Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is most often associated with Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). According to utilitarianism principle‚ a decision is ethical if it provides the greater utility than any other alternative decision. Thus the decision maker must evaluate each decision alternative‚ and then select the one that yields the greatest net utility (Fritzsche‚ 1997). There two types of utilitarianism‚ act and rule. Individual decisions are evaluated
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believe in it‚ it needs to benefit them in some way. This paper will discuss the properties of utilitarianism and the benefits it has on society. It will also compare utilitarianism to egoism‚ Kantian ethics‚ intuitionism and affirmative action. Utilitarianism’s overall purpose is to serve the greater majority and this paper sets out to prove that. This paper will discuss many major points in utilitarianism such as: it links happiness and morality‚ it conforms to meet the needs of different situations
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