Full Answer Section
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory, which means that it bases its moral judgments on the consequences of actions. This contrasts with deontological theories, which base their moral judgments on rules or principles, regardless of the consequences.
There are two main types of utilitarianism:
- Act utilitarianism: This type of utilitarianism judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its consequences in the specific case.
- Rule utilitarianism: This type of utilitarianism judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on whether it follows a rule that, if generally followed, would lead to the greatest good for the greatest number.
Utilitarianism is a controversial moral philosophy. Some of the criticisms of utilitarianism include:
- It is difficult to measure and compare happiness.
- It can lead to the sacrifice of the interests of the minority for the benefit of the majority.
- It can justify actions that are considered morally wrong, such as lying or stealing.
Despite these criticisms, utilitarianism remains a popular and influential moral philosophy. It is often used to justify government policies and social programs.
Key Figures in Utilitarianism
- Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832): Bentham is considered the father of utilitarianism. He developed the theory of act utilitarianism and introduced the concept of the felicific calculus, which is a method of measuring and comparing happiness.
- John Stuart Mill (1806-1873): Mill is the most famous proponent of utilitarianism. He developed the theory of rule utilitarianism and introduced the concept of diminishing marginal utility, which is the idea that the more of something you have, the less happiness each additional unit of it will bring.
- Henry Sidgwick (1838-1900): Sidgwick is a British philosopher who developed a synthesis of utilitarianism and other moral theories. He is known for his "methods of ethics," which is a systematic analysis of the different types of moral theories.
Applications of Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism has been applied to a wide range of issues, including:
- Government policy: Utilitarians argue that the best government policies are those that produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This means that governments should consider the consequences of their policies and choose the ones that are likely to lead to the greatest overall happiness or well-being.
- Social programs: Utilitarians also argue that social programs should be designed to maximize overall happiness or well-being. This means that governments should consider the costs and benefits of different social programs and choose the ones that are likely to produce the greatest net benefit to society.
- Business ethics: Utilitarianism can also be used to guide business decisions. Businesses that adopt a utilitarian approach will try to make decisions that maximize the interests of their shareholders, employees, customers, and the community as a whole.
Conclusion
Utilitarianism is a complex and controversial moral philosophy, but it remains one of the most influential theories of ethics. Its emphasis on the consequences of actions makes it a powerful tool for making moral judgments, and its commitment to the greatest good for the greatest number makes it a valuable guide for action.
Sample Answer
Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that holds that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being. Utilitarians believe that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its consequences. The consequences of an action are considered good if they lead to an increase in overall happiness or well-being, and bad if they lead to a decrease.
The principle of utility is often expressed in the following formula:
The greatest good for the greatest number
This formula means that the best action is the one that produces the greatest amount of good for the largest number of people.