Act Utilitarianism Essay

946 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Ethical dilemma about animal rights

A Critical Evaluation of Act Utilitarianism

Act utilitarianism is an ethics-based view that allows us to establish actions as morally right or wrong. The first modern act utilitarian, J. Bentham (1748-1832) depicted morally right actions produces the best consequences relative to the bad. The consequences of action are regarded as good or bad dependent on the happiness or pain that results from it. The act utilitarian focuses on the net consequences for groups and society, rather than the individual themselves.

Act utilitarianism is applied to any situation where an individual action has consequences. For example, if you were given the choice to lie to someone to not upset them, the consequences of that action would decide whether it is …show more content…

This is because following societies' laws may not always be the morally right action, and to gain moral progress society must perform more morally right actions. Bentham argued act utilitarianism should be used to criticise laws and create reform. The rights of individuals, such as women's rights in England in the 1870s were an example of how using the consequences analysis could lead to the change in law's which were immoral. The suppression of women through the old laws created little happiness, and relative to the pain caused - it was morally wrong to not have equal rights. The use of act utilitarianism to determine that women not having rights as morally wrong lead to the reform of law. Women having an equal vote to men by 1928 depicts the moral progression in society. Therefore, it is evident that observing immoral laws or rules and creating reform for moral progression in society is a reason for accepting act …show more content…

Animal cruelty and rights is an issue evident in our current society. The benefit we gain through the mistreatment of animals is outweighed by the suffering experience by animals. We can determine the mistreatment of living animals is morally wrong. The actions with consequences mistreating animals, such as the breeding and production of animals for slaughter, are determined as morally wrong. Therefore, when acting in accordance to act utilitarianism the suffering of animals is prevented. For this reason, act utilitarianism is likely to be accepted by those who believe in the rights of living animals or the absence of suffering for

Show More
Related

  • Part VI of Ronald Munson’s Intervention and Reflection: Basic Issues in Bioethics

    1433 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nineteenth century British philosophers, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill sum up their theory of Utilitarianism, or the “principle of utility,” which is defined as, “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness” (Munson, 2012, p. 863). This theory’s main focus is to observe the consequences of an action(s), rather than the action itself. The utility, or usef...

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast John Hospers And Rule Utilitarianism

    1570 Words  | 4 Pages

    Utilitarianism is a moral theory that states that an action is considered right as long as it promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. This theory was first proposed by Jeremy Bentham and later was refined by J.S Mill. Mill differs from Bentham by introducing a qualitative view on pleasure and makes a distinction between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. John Hospers critiques utilitarianism and shows that rule utilitarianism under more specific and stricter rules would promote utility better. Bernard Williams believes that utilitarianism is too demanding from people and instead believes virtue ethics is a better solution. Williams seems to have only considered act utilitarianism instead of rule utilitarianism, which may have better responses to the problems proposed by Williams. Sterling Hardwood purposes eleven objections to utilitarianism which can be used to help make compromise between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. I will argue that rule utilitarianism can be formed in such a way that it avoids the problems that arise from Williams, and Hardwood.

    Read More

  • Categorical Imperative Theory: The Ideas Of Kant's Thought And Theory

    1053 Words  | 3 Pages

    Utilitarian thought and theory are based on the “Greatest Happiness Principle” which exclaims that actions are considered moral only when they promote universal happiness and the absence of pain. In this paper, I argue that Kant’s Categorical Imperative is superior to utilitarianism because Kant’s Categorical Imperative allows for actions to be judged case by case, as opposed of what’s considered to be the best for maximizing happiness.

    Read More

  • Is rule-utilitarianism preferable to act-utilitarianism

    1769 Words  | 4 Pages

    Act-utilitarianism is a direct form of consequentialism in that its principles are applied directly to ones actions under particular circumstances and the action is then judged as morally permissible or impermissible based solely on whether your action achieved or failed to maximise pleasure. In contrast, rule-utilitarianism is considered indirect because your actions are carried out according to a set of accepted moral rules of which compliance with which would ensure maximum aggregate good. Whether an action is morally permissible or impermissible is judged on your adherence to the agreed set of moral rules as opposed to the direct outcome of your actions. It would seem already that rule-utilitaria...

    Read More

  • Bernard Williams and Utilitarianism

    686 Words  | 2 Pages

    The utilitarian faces many problems because he loses any ability to live a personal life. By this is meant that in making decisions the utilitarian must consider the steps which lead to the highest level of goodness in society. The utilitarian reaches for the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Two main aspects dominate the light of utilitarian beliefs. The consequentialist principle explains that in determining the rightness or wrongness of an act one must examine the results that will follow. The utility principle is that you can only deem something to be good if it in itself will bring upon a specific desired state, such as happiness or fulfillment. There are two types of utilitarians: Act utilitarians and Rule utilitarians. An act utilitarian believes that a person must think things through before making a decision. The only exception to this idea applies with rules of thumb; decisions that need to be made spontaneously. The right act is the one that results in the most utility. Rule utilitarians believe that an act is only deemed appropriate if it fits in line with the outline of valid rules within a system of rules that target the most favorable outcome.

    Read More

  • Utilitarianism, Kant's Deontological Ethics, And Virtue Ethics

    1027 Words  | 3 Pages

    Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that was first theorized by Jeremy Bentham, who summed up the fundamental quality of utilitarianism as, “It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.” Bentham was not a religious person and did not want to involve

    Read More

  • Mill's Utilitarianism

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    Utilitarianism is a consequentialist moral theory, meaning the morality of our actions is judged according to the consequences they bring about. According to utilitarianisms, all our actions should promote happiness. For Mill, happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain. In this paper, I will discuss the objection to Utilitarianism that is only fit for a swine, and Mill’s responses to that objection. Those people who reject this moral theory will say utilitarianism does not grant human life enough value compared to that of a pig. Mill gives an effective response and states that humans can and are the only ones that experiences higher pleasures and qualities of life, which make a human's life better than a pig's life.

    Read More

  • Utilitarianism

    1254 Words  | 3 Pages

    Act-utilitarianism is a theory suggesting that actions are right if their utility or product is at least as great as anything else that could be done in the situation or circumstance. Despite Mill's conviction that act-utilitarianism is an acceptable and satisfying moral theory there are recognized problems. The main objection to act-utilitarianism is that it seems to be too permissive, capable of justifying any crime, and even making it morally obligatory to do so. This theory gives rise to the i...

    Read More

  • Utilitarianism

    2011 Words  | 5 Pages

    Many traditions and values of the American society are beneficial, but some are harmful. Acceptance of utilitarianism will preserve beneficial traditions while replacing the harmful ones. As a result, new traditions, grounded in reason, will emerge, and future generations may wonder how the irrational and unnatural non-utilitarian values had survived for so long.

    Read More

  • Jeremy Bentham : Father of Utilitarianism

    1451 Words  | 3 Pages

    Here Bentham is saying that the principle is the only valid of deciding and justifying our actions, that the principle should be applied regardless of any others, as it is the only true and reliable way of defining whether an action is right or wrong. An advantage of utilitarianism is that it can be applied to any situation. Unlike many moral approaches you are not restricted by rules such as ‘it is always wrong to lie,’ or ‘killing is never right.’ This allows the philosopher to consider any dilemma or problem in it’s own specific context. For example applying Kantian ethics, abortion or euthanasia would have to be defined as wrong, however a utilitarian has the scope to make there own decision considering a range of factors and situations.

    Read More

  • The Case Study Concerning Joelle

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    Utilitarianism is an ethical theory in which determining the rightness or wrongness of action or decision is based on determining whether the greatest benefit or happiness will be provided in the highest or greatest number of population. This simply means that action or decision must be based on the highest amount or number of beneficiary (Martineau, 2006). However, this ethical theory has two major types. First is the “act utilitarianism” and second is the “rule utilitarianism.” Act utilitarianism specifically adh...

    Read More

  • Jeremy Bentham's Utilitarianism

    1702 Words  | 4 Pages

    Utilitarianism is a movement in ethics which began in the late eighteenth centaury and is primarily associated with the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham and was later adapted and fully developed by John Stuart Mill in the ninetieth century. . The theory states that we should try to achieve ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’. Utilitarianism is a teleological theory of ethics. Teleological theories of ethics look at the consequences to decide whether an action is right or wrong. Utilitarianism is defined as a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of it consequences: specifically: a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible

    Read More

  • Why Is Prostitution Ethical

    2236 Words  | 5 Pages

    The ethical theory of utilitarianism is associated with the philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Utilitarianism essentially is the theory that good is what causes a person pleasure and evil is what causes a person pain. Bentham’s utilitarianism is sometimes titled Act Utilitarianism because it focuses on individual actions A “right” action, according to Betham, is one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Where a “wrong” action is one that would cause more pain than pleasure. Before a person commits an action, they should look at the consequences that it can have on the individual and others. Hedonic Calculus is a method in determining how much pleasure or pain an action will elicit. Hedonic Calculus consists of seven criteria including intensity, duration, certainty, propinquity, fecundity, purity and extent. Each criteria can be given a score between -10 (worst pain) to +10 (highest pleasure). The action becomes ethical and moral if there is an overall net happiness for everyone that is affected. An acti...

    Read More

  • Consequentialism Vs. Rule-Utilitarianism

    1292 Words  | 3 Pages

    An act utilitarian will view the consequences of a single action, and not the consequences of the big picture. For example, they would view the consequences of a single action of stealing something, and not the principle of stealing in general. Act utilitarian will “make the rightness of an action depend on all of its results, no matter how long after the action they occur,” (FE, 123). This requires that we have moral knowledge in order to determine if our actions will be optimific, depending on the possible consequences of the action. Utilitarians make the claim that we should use actual results from an action, and not the expected results; to determine if the action is optimific. Most act-utilitarians reject using expected results, because it “does not condemn actions that are reasonably expected to be optimific. “It has two problems…first it will…require actions that turn out to have disastrous results, when other options would have produced much better outcome,” (FE, 125). However, “some actions are expected to turn out badly, but end up with surprisingly good

    Read More

  • Differences Between Utilitarianism And Hedonism

    1628 Words  | 4 Pages

    Act utilitarians like Bentham believe that an action is right or wrong depending on what good will the society results from it. Even if the action individually is not necessarily morally right as long as the ending result is beneficial for the society, that action is then considered right. For act utilitarians the end justifies the mean. Actions are also evaluated individually. It may be right for Tim to steal a pen in situation A but wrong for Ben to steal one in situation B. It will depend on the

    Read More

More about Act Utilitarianism Essay

Open Document