Explain Benthams Utiliarianism (30 marks) The theory of utilitarianism was put forward entierly by Jeremy Bentham‚ who wrote about Ethics and Politics. He was a social reformer keen to improve the lives of the working class. Many of the improvements made in the treatments of criminals in the 18th and 19th centuries were the results of Benthems ethics. Bentham believed that which is good is that which equals the greatest sum of pleasure and the least sum of pain. (Hedonism)
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As stated in the PowerPoint this week‚ “Utilitarianism says that the result or the consequence of an act is the real measure of whether it is good or bad. The great good that we should seek is happiness.” Given this‚ what the anthropologist should do depends on if what will cause the most happiness not for herself‚ but for everyone involved? As an egoist‚ you would want to look out for yourself only. In this case‚ the anthropologist would want to tell the appropriate state agency so she doesn’t get
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Ethical Theories It is vital for businesses to understand the importance of ethics in this dynamic environment. Organizations that are committed to long term success recognize and realize that creating a culture where ethical behaviors are rewarded and encouraged is the ultimate key to survival and growth. According to Joseph 2003‚ business ethics refers to clear standards and norms that help employees to distinguish right from wrong behavior at work‚ while in the other hand ethical theories are
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The Lifeboat Case and Utilitarianism Imagine that four men are placed in a life or death situation. They are stranded in a boat in the middle of the ocean with nothing to eat for nourishment. In a severely weakened state‚ the men decide that for the benefit of the majority they will draw lots and eat whoever draws the shortest; one of the men refuses to draw. The next day‚ in spite of the lottery‚ the youngest boy is killed and fed on by the other men. The argument proposed to justify their actions
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Act and Rule Utilitarianism There are a lot of differences and similarities between act and rule utilitarianism. Act utilitarian supports the principle of utility must be applied to each individual situation. The rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its usefulness. This was Bentham’s idea when he established that pleasure and pain was important qualities for determining what was morally right or wrong. With Act Utilitarianism‚ you must decide what action will bring the greatest
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There are obvious problems with both Act and Rule Utilitarianism. Both theories share the common goal of achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest amount of people. However‚ it is impossible to measure or compare happiness‚ as one persons happiness may not necessarily be another’s. And how do we measure intangible gain‚ such as happiness against material gain‚ such as money? The root principle is a good concept‚ but it’s the means to which we arrive at the end that cause the problems. In
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that there are two types of utilitarianism in instances concerning overall justice. Julia Driver mentions this in her book Ethics: The Fundamentals. Driver posits that there is a difference between act-utilitarianism and rule-utilitarianism (Driver 64). Act-utilitarianism deals more with what classical utilitarianism believes. It follows the belief that one should choose the action that has the best outcome for the most amount of people‚ even if it means
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Utilitarianism Theory Ethics involve defending‚ systematizing and recommending concepts of wrong and right practice or behavior. Ethical theories are categorized into different aspects as per the roles they assume. Using ethical theories‚ we can assess and question universal truths and function of reason in ethical judgments and moral standards that control evil and right conducts. Utilitarianism theory falls under normative ethics which judges the correct behavior we ought to adopt and the repercussions
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Simply put‚ Utilitarianism states that one should act on what would bring the greatest happiness or benefit to the greatest amount of people. Therefore‚ a utilitarian would agree to push two heaviest passengers overboard to save the six. While it violates our morals to kill two people‚ a utilitarian would explain their choice with the integrity objection. In the situation of the lifeboat‚ one is faced with a situation that does not present a perfect outcome. However‚ a utilitarian would say that
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Mill’s Utilitarianism 1. The main topic discussed in Mill’s for is obviously Utilitarianism and his own interpretation of the definition and what it means. Mill also talks about the misconception people have about utilitarianism and the basis behind his theory. Mill interprets utilitarianism and describes it as happiness and pleasure. He describes how people seek happiness with only the absence of pain. Mill’s theory also goes on the dictate that there are different levels of happiness and it can
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