Calculating Consequences: A Student Refutation of Utilitarianism Erik Z. Hallworth San Francisco State University Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory holding that moral actions are based on the maximization of overall happiness‚ defined as the Utility Principle. Mill and Bentham ’s utilitarianism makes a plausible and convincing argument‚ though not everyone agrees with it. Bernard Williams writes Utilitarianism: For and Against the theory. In agreement
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Utilitarianism is‚ “a thinking process with the objective of determining whether an idea is right or wrong” (Rosen et al.‚“How” 746). This theory follows the notion that the greatest good for the greatest number of people should be the principle of conduct. Raskolnikov accepts this theory in order to justify the murder of Ivanovna. Mill said‚ the best action is the one that maximizes utility‚ or total benefit‚ and reduces suffering (746). I chose to use utilitarianism to some up moral reasoning
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that we make ultimately effect how we behave. So what do humans believe is the correct way to “do good” or “be good”? In Attempting to create a better understand what is considered “good” it is essential to compare what the ethical theories of Utilitarianism‚ Deontology‚ Care Ethics‚ and Virtue Ethics conclude
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Utilitarianism is the most beneficial view of ethics and it should be what most people strive to follow. Utilitarianism all about what we do and what happens because of what we do. It’s all about the consequences of our actions. When looking at Utilitarianism you have to look at human existence itself. According to philosophers like Mill and Bentham‚ humans live to achieve happiness. That is our only goal‚ everything we do is in pursuit of happiness. When you compare Utilitarianism to other philosophical
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The 17th century philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) is greatly known for his description and defense of the classical utilitarianism theory‚ following the teachings of his father‚ James Mill‚ and philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Bentham based his utilitarianism philosophy on the principle that the object of morality is the promotion of the greatest happiness of the maximum number of members of society. He then added on that the happiness of any individual consists in favorable balance of pleasures
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Preference Utilitarianism of Peter Singer Preference Utilitarianism is based on the idea that a good action is one that maximises the preferences of all involved so that my own want‚ needs and desires cannot apply to everyone. Utilitarianism is a teleological or consequentialist approach to ethics‚ which means that the action’s outcome is looked at. It is the greatest happiness principle. It is the consequences of an action which judge whether it is good or bad. Preference Utilitarianism Is based
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Mill: Utilitarianism‚ Chapters 1-3 In chapter number one titled “General Remarks” Mill starts off by talking about what is to be seen as morally right and morally wrong things‚ yet no one has a complete understanding for what is actually morally right and wrong. He then talks about “Moral Faculty” and two different views or opinions on the subject. Mill states in his text that “Our moral faculty‚ according to all those of its interpreters who are entitled to the name of thinkers‚ supplies us
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In the field of normative ethics‚ utilitarianism is a perennial philosophical view. Utilitarianism holds that a “morally right action is that which produces the most good” and promotes the maximum utility of happiness; for humanity (the aggregate). John Stuart Mill‚ a contributor to the field of utilitarianism‚ embraced Jeremy Bentham’s ‘greatest-happiness principle’ that states “the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong” . Mill offered an alternative to
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Utilitarianism is a standard ethical theory that claims the greatest moral action is the one that maximizes utility. This well-known consequentialist theory views that right or wrong depend on the consequences of an act and not the intentions or motives that produce the act .Ultimately‚ the purpose of the act should be one that maximizes utility and promotes a better world.For instance philosopher Bentham’s principle of utility is based on the idea that an action is right if it produces the greatest
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mean we have to give up our own happiness‚ because if everyone did this‚ none of us would be happy. Therefore‚ sacrificing our own happiness would only be good if it produced more happiness overall. Just as Mill‚ I do not believe utilitarianism is too demanding. Utilitarianism is simply a theory and just as any theory there are exceptions to it. We should simply try our best to do acts that brings the most happiness to those around us‚ when reasonably possible and without sacrificing our own
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