Utilitarianism: Bentham and Mill Utilitarianism begins with the work of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)‚ an English political and social reformer. Educated at Oxford‚ Bentham eventually headed up a small group of thinkers called the “Philosophical Radicals.” This group‚ which included James Mill (father of John Stuart Mill‚ more on him later)‚ was dedicated to social reform and the promulgation of Bentham’s ideas. Bentham based utilitarian ethics on the so-called “greatest happiness principle
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In his book‚ The Right and the Good‚ W.D. Ross defends the theory of moral pluralism‚ which is “the idea that there are several values that may be equally correct and fundamental‚ and yet in conflict with one another” (New World Encyclopedia). In accepting this approach‚ we must assume that our ideas of right and wrong are influenced by multiple sources. According to Ross‚ in order to act morally right‚ we must be able to maintain a balance between our conflicting duties‚ or prima facie obligations
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In Utilitarianism and Integrity‚ Williams argues that Utilitarianism is fundamentally flawed because it denies individual responsibility and robs people of their moral autonomy. According to Williams‚ because Utilitarianism supports the idea that a person’s actions should be motivated by the desire to gain the most worthy outcome for all parties‚ it does not take into account a person’s individual’s moral code or desires. Instead‚ people are expected to sacrifice their moral integrity for the sake
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Conflict Resolution in the Workplace Conflict Defined Look up the word conflict in the dictionary and you will see several negative responses. Descriptions such as: to come into collision or disagreement; be at variance or in opposition; clash; to contend; do battle; controversy; quarrel; antagonism or opposition between interests or principles Random House (1975). With the negative reputation associated with this word‚ no wonder people tend to shy away when they start to enter into the area
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Employee motivation in the workplace The job of a manager in the workplace is to get things done through employees. To do this the manager should be able to motivate employees. But that’s easier said than done! Motivation practice and theory are difficult subjects‚ touching on several disciplines. In spite of enormous research‚ basic as well as applied‚ the subject of motivation is not clearly understood and more often than not poorly practiced. To understand motivation one must understand human
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Utilitarianism and Kantianism are the same in that both theories of ethics believe that we as humans have duties. These duties determine if we can be accepted in a moral community. Utilitarianism says we can be accepted by doing things that produce the most good. Kantianism believes we are accepted by doing actions that have good intentions and that we must follow the good will. Utilitarianism is the theory that actions are good if the outcome is good. Act utilitarianism says that it is okay‚ and
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Utilitarianism has its strengths. Firstly‚ the utilitarian philosophy recognizes that we all like pleasure and dislike pain. This has also become the basis of moral and political life. That is‚ maximizing utility is a principle not only for individuals but also for legislators. In deciding what laws or policies to enact‚ a government should do whatever will maximize the happiness of as a whole. Secondly‚ Utilitarianism is probably the most defensible approach in emergency situations. For example
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The moral theory of utilitarianism consists of welfarism‚ a theory of the good‚ and consequentialism‚ a theory of the right. Utilitarianism dictates that a moral action is one whose results bring about the greatest amount of welfare for all relevant parties. Though‚ at first glance‚ utilitarianism may be appealing (Who can disagree with the claim that promoting the welfare of all members of society is the right thing to do?)‚ upon further reflection‚ it is clear that utilitarianism has a few shortcomings—namely
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AGE DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE Harold had been with the company going on forty-five years. There was no doubt that his contributions over the past few decades helped the once intimate business flourish into an international corporation. As his sixty-fifth birthday rolled around‚ Harold was greeted with a staff party and a mandatory retirement notice that was effective two weeks from that date. Harold was stunned‚ inasmuch as he had no intentions whatsoever to leave his position with the company;
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systems debated today are utilitarianism and deontology. These two traditions parallel the sayings “the ends justify the means” or “the means justify the ends”. Inspired by Jeremy Bentham’s philosophies‚ John Stuart Mill applied his ideas to his many pamphlets and short works regarding Utilitarianism. This philosophy considers that the best thing to do ethically for a society is to maximize its happiness‚ interests‚ preference‚ or well-being. In effect‚ utilitarianism focuses on outcomes‚ or the
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