Utilitarianism vs. Moral Rights and Principles of Justice Ed Konieczka University of Mary Undergrad Student This assignment asks us to answer the following two questions: Does utilitarianism provide a more objective standard for determining right and wrong than moral rights do? Does utilitarianism provide a more objective standard than principles of justice? I was previously asked to study utilitarianism in a class that studied business law. I was unsatisfied with utilitarianism at the time
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Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory‚ which means that it judges the morality of an action based on the consequences that follow from it rather than on external moral duties. Philosophers who adhere to utilitarianism regard the maximisation of utility as the key determent for understanding whether an action is right or not . In this essay I will argue that the amount of utility produces by an action is not an ideal way of determining its morality. This will be done by firstly clarifying the
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Utilitarianism is a moral theory that was originally created by Jeremy Bentham that he hoped would help people make difficult moral decisions. There are three main types of utilitarianism: Act‚ Rule and Preference. The different forms of utilitarianism all have different ways of helping people make decisions. Jeremy Bentham was the creator of Act utilitarianism and believes that people should aim to create the largest amount of pleasure possible for the greatest number of people through their moral
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Mill’s Utilitarianism brings an extended concept of Bentham’s philosophy and a response to Kant’s deontological philosophy. The basic concept of utilitarianism is to act in such a way as to create the most pleasure or the least pain. This is the guideline because‚ as Mill states‚ we desire happiness; happiness is maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. However‚ is utilitarianism viable? There are many arguments for it‚ but just as many against. First‚ utilitarianism allows for the good
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ABSTRACT Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory originally established by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill that advocates brining about good consequences or happiness to all concerned. Kantianism is the philosophy of Immanuel Kant. Kantianism is another famous rule of the nonconsequentialist theory. Kant’s theory contains several ethical principles. These principles are the good will‚ establishing morality by reasoning alone‚ categorical imperative‚ duty rather than inclination‚ and summary
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Utilitarianism and Deontology support the legalization of marijuana‚ it produces a greater good for the economy‚ health‚ and positive effect on people’s happiness. The law of duty would be moral‚ and legalizing marijuana stimulates jobs‚ reduces crime rates‚ helps medically‚ and economically produces money. As a Utilitarian‚ they believe that the best action is the one the maximizes utility‚ and in this argument marijuana is a utility that could benefit for the greater good of human beings. In Deontology
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Lessons from the Past The recent major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico‚ from BP’s Deepwater Horizon‚ has brought the use and effectiveness of bioremediation back into the news. Recruiting bacteria and other microbes to break down synthetic waste is an immensely appealing idea. Putting microorganisms to work in this manner is the crux of bioremediation (Alcamo‚ Weeks‚ 2008). The work to clean up the Horizon spill actually started in the 1800’s when night-soil men would go from house to house and
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popular and society is becoming even more severely egoistic. Two examples or branches of consequentialism are egoism and utilitarianism. The definition of utilitarianism according to a dictionary website is the ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility‚ and that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons. Utilitarianism is simply‚ doing the most good for the most people. The definition of egoism is the habit of valuing everything only in
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Utilitarianism This castaway-esque example brings forth many strong considerations from a utilitarian perspective. The first of many considerations would be that you as the individual ought to do what is deemed morally right for the greatest amount of people‚ maximizing utility and reducing potential suffering of others. In this specific case‚ I would have to not look in my own interest anymore and instead‚ take into account the interests of others (The estranged adult child and woman whom you made
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Utilitarianism: Bentham – Hedonic Calculus Bentham was a hedonist – he believed that pleasure is good in itself‚ and other things are good in so far as they bring about pleasure and the absence of pain. “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters‚ pain and pleasure.” You could work out which action to perform by calculating which option brought about the greatest amount of pleasure: Duration – how long does the pleasure last? Remoteness – how distant is the pleasure?
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