Utilitarianism The Ethical Theory - 1848 Words

Utilitarianism came about through the consequentialist ethical theory, which states that consequences determines whether something is good or bad. It is the idea that humans should act in a way that promotes the best utility for the most people. Utility can vary depending on the culture, but for the most part it means the greatest happiness or good for the most amount of people versus unhappiness. In order to determine what the best utility is, one must first determine what is intrinsically good within their culture or society. Then, one must determine what is bad. All of the options must be considered, with each option calculating the value of the results and what they would bring about. Lastly, one must take the course of action that has the highest ratio of good to bad results. Utilitarianism should not be confused with hedonism, which states that the only good thing in itself is pleasure and happiness. Instead, it does not give preferences to happiness or desires, but rather prov ides a moral compass with which to follow. This might mean sacrificing one’s own happiness for the better utility of the whole. Utilitarianism is appealing due to several different reasons. Everyone’s interest is just as important as some else’s. In addition, most people would generally agree that the same moral conventions, like murder, is wrong, and that it should be against the rules to kill another living being. It is seen as instinct to not kill, enslave, or endanger another human. ItShow MoreRelatedUtilitarianism : An Ethical Theory Essay1731 Words   |  7 PagesUtilitarianism Utilitarianism is one of the most powerful and persuasive approaches to normative ethics in the history of philosophy. Even though It was not fully articulated until the 19th century, proto-Utilitarian positions can be recognized and discerned throughout the history of ethical theory. (Driver, Julia. â€Å"The History of Utilitarianism.† Stanford University. Stanford University, 2009. Web. 01 Oct. 2016). Utilitarianism is an Ethical Theory that was a result of combining aspects of ConsequentialismRead MoreThe Ethical Theory Of Utilitarianism1543 Words   |  7 Pagesutilitarian theory as being based on social reform in human behavior of which offers an alternative to natural laws. Utilitarians emphasize the deep connection between doing the right thing and causing happiness to make creatures happy. Some believe to do the right thing, because it’s the right thing to do versus doing the right thing for happiness. The theory comes with different Pro and Cons of making some happy or having happiness. I believe that this is the best ethical theory that we haveRead MoreThe Ethical Theory Of Utilitarianism912 Words   |  4 PagesUtilitarianism is just one of many ethical theories used and studied in the world that we live in today. Many people would choose to disagree with the ideals that this theory embodies, but before someone chooses to disagree with it, they should know more about the theory instead of judging a book by its cover. In the theory of Utilitarianism, it is believed that an action that is morally right will bear the most favorable balance between good and bad, and that is when everyone’s interest is takenRead MoreUtilitarianism : A Ethical Theory1381 Words   |  6 PagesUtilitarianism is a normative theory that describes how one ought to act by evaluating the consequences of actions, thus utilitarianism is a breed of consequentialism. Consequences determine whether an act is right or wrong, so one ought to act to produce the best results. The best result is the one that maximizes utility, or produces the largest amount of good. Utilitarians define good as pleasure or happiness, since it is the only thing that is intrinsically good. This is not to say that utilitariansRead MoreThe Ethical Theory of Utilitarianism 710 Words   |  3 PagesUTILITARIANISM Utilitarianism as an ethical theory is seen as an act that is morally correct if it results in the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people affected by the act. (Crane, Matten, Chapt. 3). It is a principle that concentrates on the outcome of an act and compares the good outcome with the bad outcome and supports the outcome that brings the greatest amount of good for all stakeholders involved. Addressing the Canadian mining industry from an economic angle, one wouldRead MoreUtilitarianism : An Ethical Theory1938 Words   |  8 PagesUtilitarianism: â€Å"The idea that an action is right, as long as it promotes happiness, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct (Oxford Dictionaries).† This theory was thought up as far back as the 17th century, but didn’t become well known until late into the 18th century when Jeremy Bentham a legal and social reformer gave a powerful presentation of the idea. â€Å"Create all the happiness you are able to create; remove all the misery you are ableRead MoreUtilitarianism Is A Good Ethical Theory1336 Words   |  6 Pagessays that Utilitarianism is a good ethical theory because it justifies conventional moral wisdom they believe that because this theory maintains conservative principles and only has minimal mistakes, there is a valid purpose to favor this theory over a ny other theory that is presented. Utilitarianism does not support the notion of popular judgment but when comparing the other theories, utilitarianism does have fewer conflicts than any other theory. In other words although utilitarianism flaws inRead MoreThe Ethical Theories Of Deontology And Utilitarianism1414 Words   |  6 Pageswill also so how the ethical theories of Deontology and Utilitarianism plays a part and how the ethical perspective Emotivism also plays a part. Theories and Perspective Deontology is the reason for which the act is done and the rule according to which one chooses to act (Mosser, 2013). It doesn’t deny that the acts that we do have consequences (Mosser, 2013). It insists that those roles should not play a part in our moral evaluation of such acts (Mosser, 2013). Utilitarianism is a natural way toRead MoreThe Ethical Theories Of Utilitarianism And Kantian Ethics Essay1650 Words   |  7 Pagesbe discussing an article about a woman who starved her two horses. I will address the issue about whether or not the woman’s action was ethical. I will use the two ethical theories of utilitarianism and Kantian ethics to support my argument. I will also suggest a different course of action the woman could have taken to be justified, through both ethical theories. The article follows the story about an Australian woman who breached her duty of care to two horses that she owned (Emery, 2016). BiancaRead MoreThe Ethical Theories Of Utilitarianism And Deontological Morals2353 Words   |  10 PagesIntroduction This document will introduce two noteworthy ethical frameworks which are validated instrumental in the development of business ethics and which include an extremely rational significance in assessing ethical concerns in contemporary business: Utilitarianism and deontological morals (Hartman, L., 2017). Part A: Comparison/contrast the ethical theories of Utilitarianism and Kantian The first ethical tradition is Utilitarianism, an ethical hypothesis constructed and cultivated in the contemporary