Mill explains that utility can be understood in terms of pleasure and the absence of pain and not just by the usefulness of something (Module 7.1). Utilitarianism at its root is maximizing happiness for as many people as possible. “The Greatest Happiness Principle holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness (Mill 14). Meaning Mill’s ethical theory of utility evaluates the moral worth of an action on whether it increases or decreases happiness (Module 7.1). Mill roots the Greatest Happiness Principle in his theory of life.
The various forms present two major problems; the problem of justice, and the issue of having to predict the consequences of an action. One variant within utilitarianism is Hedonistic or Classic utilitarianism. Which looks at the view ‘what is good for an individual is what tends to promote happiness or pleasure to the individual’. This holds that the only intrinsic good is pleasure, and that the only intrinsic bad is pain. Everything else is good only insofar as it creates pleasure, and bad only insofar as it creates pain.
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory of morality that follows the “Greatest Happiness Principle” for judging whether an action is morally right or wrong. This principle states that an action should bring the greatest amount of happiness to the greatest number of people. Here, happiness is the primary good that is intrinsically good in itself. A utilitarian would describe happiness as the presence of pleasure and the absence of pain. Therefore, a morally right action would be one that provides more pleasure than pain to the greatest number of people.
Bad experiences and feelings make the good feelings worth living for. If I were in a constant state of happiness I don’t believe it would be as great as it sounds because I would not be able to experience other emotions. Eudaimonic happiness means that we are happiest when we follow and achieve our goals and develop our unique potentials. Hedonic happiness means that we define the good life in terms of our own personal
The theory of “good” and bad is really not a matter of concern; we have our own particular views, so what can be bad may actually be good. This is only so with what we determine to be our own opinion of likes/dislikes. I believe God is the highest power, and knows what is “good” or not. Given this “good” is what helps us, and “bad” is what hinders us. I’m trying to present the revelatory explanation to the decisions of what we would do in both situations concerning the stories; utilitarianism handles the amount of happiness and distress our decisions create to make what matters.
Utilitarianism focuses on the belief that actions can be morally correct if the masses get more of the benefit than any one person. This differs from virtue theory greatly. While virtue theory looks at the history of one individual and those virtues effecting one individuals character, utilitarianism is a focus on the group. It is ones action that gives the group greater good, not an individual. Deontology is the theory that an individual does something because the individual believes it is the right thing to do.
Virtues ethics can be used to determine the right and wrong of an action. Moral virtues are based on the means of courage, generosity, mildness, and moderation. Action more beneficial to a group is known as utilitarianism. Sometimes this has been shortened to the slogan “the greatest good for the greatest number” or simply put,
According to the “Greatest Happiness Principle,” an action can only be right if it promotes happiness and an action is wrong if it provides the opposite of happiness. Mill’s utilitarian theory believes “all desirable things…are desirable for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as means to the promotion of pleasure and the prevention of pain.” Applying this theory to life would be an easy task, and one that many would be more than happy to live by. Enjoying a life in which there is nothing better or more attainable than pleasure, to achieve anything that would keep one away from pain and enjoy a simple life of pleasure just like as a common
He also added that people also have “social sentiments”, which is feelings that connect us with other people and make us concerned about their welfare as well. And therefore, Hume stated that we measure right and wrong by the true interest of humanity. Utilitarianism is a principle that we ought to do whatever will produce the greatest happiness. It is a combination of three ideas: First, the morality of action solely depends on its consequences. Second, we should do whatever will cause the most happiness or least unhappiness.
I will analyze my argument through a utilitarian point of view and try to demonstrate why it should be legalized. First off, to be able to understand my argument one must be able to understand the point of view of that of a utilitarian. To make it short and simple for a utilitarian happiness is consequently the result of an action, and if that action produces the greatest pleasure then that action is morally right. Also if the driven action lessens pain and or lessens suffering, then that action is absolutely permissible (And if it is the action that results in the most happiness total, then it is not just permissible, but obligatory.). Knowing this, Cannabis causes millions of Americans pleasure, pain relief, and undeniably is a passed time to “Stoners.” So, why is Cannabis illegal if it is said to have so many benefits?