Explain how Bentham’s version of Utilitarianism may be used to decide on the right course of action. Utilitarianism is a teleological theory of ethics. It is a method that looks at the consequences of an action to deice whether it is right or wrong; this also makes it a consequentialist theory. In the eighteenth century Hutchenson first used the phrase ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’ which he used to describe the political systems. Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) then decided to develop his idea of Utilitarianism from this quote and apply it to all areas of social activity.
What were the ideas expressed during the Enlightenment? How did they spread?- A philosophical movement in eighteenth-century Europe that fostered the belief that one could reform society by discovering rational laws that governed social behavior and that were just as scientific as the laws of physics. 3. What were Benjamin Franklin’s achievements?- Some of Benjamin's greatest achievements are later in life when he became a premier statesman. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1750 where his principal duties were voyaging to London to represent the colony before the English parliament.
Assess Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is a consequentialist approach to ethics, meaning the consequences of an act are what matters. The utilitarian answer as to what to do in any situation is that we should always act to maximise utility. There are two different interpretations of utilitarianism; the positive being that we ought to do that which brings about the greatest happiness of the greatest number and the negative being that we ought to do that which minimises pain or suffering. Utilitarianism is teleological, or goal orienteered, meaning that the end matters more than the means used to achieve the end. The various forms present two major problems; the problem of justice, and the issue of having to predict the consequences of an action.
Mainstream rational choice theorists argue that individuals are purely motivated by self-interest. This approach supports the argument that ‘individuals have all the rational capacity, time and emotional detachment necessary to choose the best course of action’, this theory deems that individuals are programmed to be able to take into consideration the results of hypothetical (options that only exist in theory) actions, and place in order of preference, choosing the option that maximises their utility. Zafirovski highlights that, ‘Rational choice theory is grounded on the neo-classical economic model of rationality with its basis in the concept of utility function’, this emphasises the actions of the individual, likening their profit maximising predispositions to that of the manufacturer and consumer in neo-classical economics. The concept of rational choice has even been broadened to cover the issue of extremism, such as terrorism, arguing that rational actors martyr
Mill roots the Greatest Happiness Principle in his theory of life. The theory of life claims that all moral value can be understood in pleasure, which is intrinsically good, and pain, intrinsically bad. Therefore, an action is right if it produces pleasure and is wrong if it decreases pleasure or produces pain (Module 7.1). Mill’s theory of utility states that the utilitarian standard is not the agents’ own greatest happiness but the greatest amount of happiness altogether (Mill 20). He then goes on to explain that Jesus’ golden rule, do unto others as you would do unto you, is the “perfection of utilitarian morality” (Mill 27-28).
In other words, this theory looks to an individual’s character, rather than to an individual’s duty, conduct, or actions. The ethical perspective Obligations is most closely in accord with a theory of ethics especially that see dealing with duty, moral obligation, and right action, called the deontological theory. The focus is on a person’s responsibility or obligation to do what is purely ethical. The ethical perspective Results is most closely in accord with utilitarianism for which the primary concern is the consequences of our actions, seeking to maximize the greatest balance of good over evil. The last one Equity is most closely in accord with the postmodern theory that emerged in the early 1970s and developed as a critique of the traditional principles associated with philosophical thinking in ‘modern’ times (generally considered as a part of the Enlightenment project of the 18th century).
In this paper I will attempt to give an understanding of both rationalism and empiricism, show the ideas and contributions each of the men made to their respective schools, and hopefully give my personal reasoning why one is more true than the other. Rationalism was developed by several important philosophers all around the 17th century. Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibnitz are all given credit for developing rationalism. Rationalism is the idea that reason and logic are the basis of knowledge. It says that knowledge is innate, and that it cannot come from sources such as the senses.
Aristotle argues that material is what an object consist of and this matter we could not live without. He feels that education is the key and having the experience is good for happiness. Aristotle states that it is important to consider our ethical first principle not merely as a conclusion drawn from certain premises, but also in its relation to the popular opinion (Aristotle, 701). He says how it is important to follow what we believe and because
Where would Andrew Carnegie’s “Lecture to Young Men” fit with the above views? a. The philosophies of the Ideology of Success and Social Darwinism dominated American thinking. The Ideology of Success encompassed the belief that adhering to the Puritan work ethic of hard work and moderation and self-restraint would lead to success. i.
Consequentialism assumes that if human being would weigh the outcome of their taboos and beliefs, then happiness can be achieved and pain reduced. But utilitarianism assumes that people can only value a virtue if it is deemed beneficial in accomplishing human happiness. For example utilitarians believe that truth will make a better society while consequentialists believe that truth will make a better society only if the outcome causes no harm. Basically utilitarianism assumes that the wrongness or rightness of an act depends on the moral good produced as a result of doing that act. This implies that an act is right if it minimizes violation of a certain moral right thus no one should violate moral rights for happiness sake and be justified.