Examples Of Utilitarianism

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Throughout human history, the way in which we define what is right and wrong has gone through many different transformations. The way we treat our fellow human beings has been altered by war, propaganda, racism and cultural differences. The division of land and power in the middle ages, the crusades, women’s suffrage and slavery are all derived from the ethics of particular cultures and perspectives. By looking at the ethics of previous eras and cultures, I hope to develop a particular ethical standpoint that is fair to all people of all cultures. For me, this is the standpoint that the end justifies the means, otherwise known as utilitarianism.
Utilitarianism is a life principle that I have thought about and decided upon extensively. I have never quite understood my own ethical standpoint or been able to put it into writing, until heard of utilitarianism. I believe that the values this principle stems from are most likely: being true to myself, making steadfast decisions and a small amount of greed (Which dwells within all of us instinctively (Taflinger, 1996)). Utilitarianism is a challenging standpoint, almost in the same way that socialism is a challenging standpoint between communism and capitalism. This also means that like socialism, my ethical standpoint is different from its counterparts, and so, has different effects on my life.
Being a young man, I am rarely subjected to making adverse decisions relating to morality. As I currently stand, my ethical principle has few ill effects, with most unethical acts being petty quarrels with friends and family. Also, I don’t have the life experience that allows me to decide the worth of benefits and the seriousness of various acts. This puts me in a state where my ethical principl...

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...tirement tunnel is approaching quickly, and making decisions against retiring early and being happy or continuing on and ensuring a long fulfilling retirement. These decisions may also have something to do with the value of greed, and wanting to attain wealth as a young adult.
In conclusion, humans, no matter race culture or gender, have some form of ethical principle, whether it is for better or for worse. Humans put labels on what is right and wrong in order to attempt living a fulfilling life. Our individuality through our important life stages and relationships can alter what we define as our ethical principle. Values of the person in question, life experience, childhood and social influences affect the outcome of the persons ethical principle. This ultimately results in character traits such as generous, lovable, tough and fair, that in turn make up who we are.

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