A good life is something inherently worth having, unlike justice which is worth having because it leads to a good life. Aristotle defined good as something that fulfils its end purpose and the telos of humanity is to be rational, Aristotle then went on to say
It is also referred to as the theory of utility and encourages us to behave in a way in which is useful to society. Unlike natural law which is an absolutist and deontological theory, based on religious principals, utilitarianism is a teleological, secular theory which judges morality on the consequences. Aristotle believed that good conduct promoted happiness in society and Epicurius developed Aristotle's idea by claiming that a good life consisted of the maximum amount of pleasure and the least amount of pain. Another important figure in the utilitarian development is Jeremy Bentham, he is considered to be the founder of utilitarianism and his ethical theory is said to have had a significant influence on a number of philosophers including Peter Singer. Bentham believes that humans are motivated by a desire to experience as much pleasure as possible and avoid experiences of pain.
This indicates that utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism as what is viewed to a morally correct action is based upon the actions outcome. Therefore, utilitarianism commands that when one is faced with a choice of morality, one should consider the moral rightness of an act by means of the consequences that should occur due to the performance of this act and also the happiness which arise due to the execution of the act. The theory of utilitarianism thus places paramount importance on happiness. Utilitarianism subsequently branches off into two forms: Act consequentialism, which claims that “an act is morally right if and only it maximizes the good” and hedonism “that pleasure is the only intrinsic good and that pain is the only intrinsic bad.” In this essay I shall outline and explain the theories of act and rule utilitarianism. I will also discuss and examine these theories in light of the case study about the programme
Utilitarianism (Utility meaning usefulness) is a theory proposed by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill that means that all actions should be directed towards achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. It is a teleological argument as it is looks at the consequences of an action determining the rightness or wrongness of an action rather than the action itself. Jeremy Bentham (1748) believes in act utilitarianism, this is a theory that states that the act that produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people is the right one too choose therefore meaning it is quantitative as it is based on the quantity of happiness rather than quality. Benthams theory is based on 3 main things: 1. His view on what drove human beings and what goodness and badness was all about (he believes we are drive by pleasure opposed to pain – therefore he was a Hedonist), 2.
Utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering. Classic utilitarianism's two most influential contributors are Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. John Stuart Mill in his book Utilitarianism, stated, "In the golden rule of Jesus of Nazareth, we read the complete spirit of the ethics of utility. To do as one would be done by, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, constitute the ideal perfection of utilitarian morality." According to Bentham and Mill, Utilitarianism is hedonistic only when the result of an action has no decidedly negative impact on others.
He is not saying to live an isolated life but to be self-sufficient within a community. Aristotle links happiness and virtue. Aristotle says, “Since happiness is a certain sort of activity of the soul in accord with complete virtue.” (Hackett 16). Aristotle claims that in order for us to achieve happiness is through a good moral character. One virtue of character Aristotle speaks about is
Comparison between deontological and utilitarian ethics Deontological ethics Deontology is a normative theory attributed to Immanuel Kant, which focuses on the concept of the duty. It is concerned on fulfilling what is believed to be a moral duty without considering its impact to other people. It takes the stand that the duty defines the right actions regardless of the consequences. The hold of deontological ethics is that doing right is what conform the moral laws. According to Kant, right actions are not done by following inclinations, impulses or obeying the principle of greatest happiness but are done simply and purely from the sense of duty.
Explain the difference between Act & Rule Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds that all moral actions should be decided on the basis that they create, "the greatest happiness for the greatest number". A teleological approach is one which is based on consequences, as opposed to a deontological approach which is one based on a set of rules or absolutes. Utilitarianism can be subdivided into two distinct types; act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. Act utilitarianism was the first form of utilitarianism, which was first developed by Jeremy Bentham in the eighteenth and nineteenth century.
He said, in principles of morals and legislation, 'nature has placed mankind underthe governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do' The principle of utility Once Bentham had established that pleasure and pain were important qualities for determining what was moral, he developed the utility principle. The rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its 'utility' or usefulness, Usefulness refers to the amound of pleasure or happiness caused by the action - hence it is a teleogical ethical theory which determines a good act by the ends it brings about. The theory is known as the greatest happiness principle, or a theory of usefulness. 'An action is right if it produces th greatest good for the greatest number', where the greatest good is the greatest pleasure or happiness and the least pain or sadness, and the
The general idea and the foundation about utilitarianism are all about doing something to maximize the happiness and minimize the misery and pain. According to this theory, an act is moral as they tend to increase the happiness or pleasure and reduce misery or pain. This idea, is developed from the father of utilitarianism Jeremy Bentham’s axiom “it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong” (Bentham J., 1776). Utilitarianism uses the aggregation of harms and benefits to determine the right course of