The idea of utilitarianism classifies actions of being "morally" right or wrong solely based on the results and outcomes of the actions. This paper will analyze the problem that Arthur‚ "the art dealer"‚ faces with artwork pieces he stumbles upon. Arthur’s predicament is that he is given an opportunity to buy looted artworks. His dilemma is to either purchase or to not purchase the art work. This paper will evaluate the two analysis views of a utilitarian: act (extreme) and rule (restricted). First
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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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Strengths and Weaknesses of Utilitarianism In the article‚ “Strengths and Weaknesses of Utilitarianism”‚ Louis P. Pojman explained the grounds on which utilitarianism has been attacked and showed some possible response to its defenders which imply his positive attitude towards utilitarianism [1] . In order to argue that thesis‚ Pojman’s one important premise is the response to the no-rest objection. He believed that the agent should aim at maximizing his or her own happiness as well as other people’s
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always wrong or always right with no exceptions. The time‚ place or culture have no power as it does in relativism which is more subjective (Moore). And in comparison to utilitarianism‚ absolutism targets the act and not the outcome. Since absolutism theory believes and focuses on opposite principles than relativism and utilitarianism‚ it would be fair to say that absolutism would strongly disagree in allowing the act of torture of the man. The objectiveness of absolutism would not allow torture to
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not. There are many who find utility to be synonymous to economics‚ but they are mistaken due to different definitions of the word. There is an ethical dilemma within utilitarianism because it leads ethical decisions to be made through utility calculations. This calculation differs between people and groups making morality subjective within this framework. A better alternative framework for an economist is a focus on a market based economy where truth is inherent. Utilitarianism also limits liberty
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Utilitarianism says that the moral and ethical thing to do is that which provides the most happiness or the least unhappiness to society. Sitting in class listening to the lecture on the moral theory of Utilitarianism it first sounded like the best moral theory ever. However as the classes continued and we learned more and more about this theory my opinion quickly changed. In this paper I will defend the idea that Utilitarianism is a failed moral theory. As stated in James Rachels‚ The Elements
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“The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.” - Leon Trotsky. This quote closely relates to a philosophy that became popular in Russia in the 1860’s- utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a philosophy defined as the idea of the moral worth of an action is determined only by the contribution to the overall utility‚ the contribution of happiness or pleasure among all people. Meaning‚ the moral worth of an action is solely determined by its outcome. Moral choices
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Retributivism and Utilitarianism. Retributivism is a theory of criminal justice that advocates punishment to be the best response and consequence in retribution for what criminals have inflicted. It is also the first theory answering the reason why we established punishment institutions. Since in retributivism‚ it is justified to punish people when and only when they deserve to be punished‚ which is can be summed up as “an eye for an eye‚ a tooth for a tooth” from the
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Cori Craig 3* Heine September 29‚ 2011 Murder: To Save One from Misery Most people say they would do anything for their best friend‚ so would it be justified for one go as far as killing their best friend for their well being? In the novel Of Mice and Men‚ by John Steinbeck‚ the protagonist‚ George‚ went to the extreme of killing his closest friend‚ Lennie‚ to save him from a frightful future. This extermination was condoned because George killed Lennie with good intentions‚ Lennie was better
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Natural Rights and Utilitarianism 1) Locke’s concept of the social contract is to protect people’s rights. According to Locke the contract is between the people and these branches of government that they set up. The reason government arises the social contract between people‚ is because that people want to live longer and better. The legitimacy of the government comes from the fact we consent to set up that authority and protect our natural rights. For example‚ if we designate a group
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