Utilitarianism: One Of The Most Influential Moral Theories

1a. Utilitarianism is one of the most influential moral theories. Like other forms of consequentialism, its main idea is that the decision of whether actions are morally right or wrong depends on their effects. More specifically, the only effects of actions that should be considered are the good and bad results that they produce. Utilitarianism believes that the purpose of morality is to make life better by increasing the amount of good things in the world. The motto for Utilitarians is: “The greatest good for the greatest number.” Based on this theory, any action that provides more people with happiness or pleasure is morally right. Moral codes are not consistent with this theory, nor any systems that consist of rules such as customs, traditions, or orders. Instead, utilitarianists think that what makes a morality be true or justifiable is its positive contribution to human beings. Act Utilitarianism focuses on the effects of individual actions rather than the effects of rules, such as the effects of David’s possible chemical attack on the water supply.

1b. In Utilitarianism, what is morally right depends on the number of people that get affected positively. It is considered wrong for Lauren to keep the information to herself. The only people

Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics is a moral theory that depends on the person’s character, rather than on the consequences of an action. Whenever one is following the virtue ethics theory, he/she is focused on becoming the right kind of person by developing certain character traits. The main guidance of their behavior, influenced by virtue ethics, is the deep patterns of each personality: self-control, courage, wisdom, honesty etc. These character traits are called moral virtues, which are often contrasted with intellectual virtues. These virtues are obtained throughout life from experiences. The right kind of person would gain these virtues and develop them, by using all these virtues when dealing with an ethical