Jeremy Bentham's Principle Of Utility
In this paper, I will refute Jeremy Bentham’s principle of utility by showing that it overshadows the importance of the courses of action taken when making decisions. Bentham discusses, in “ Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation”, the principle of utility which says that, “By the principle of utility is meant that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question: or, what is the same thing in other words, to promote or to oppose that happiness” (Bentham, 31). According to the English philosopher’s morality, this principle requires the approbation of actions if and only …show more content…
Although the consequences of Hoyvald’ decision produced overall happiness according to a vague quantitative measurement, his decision wasn’t the best one. The quantitative measurement, also known as the “hedonistic calculus”, is a procedure used by Bentham to calculate the pleasures and pains of a decision’s outcomes to support his theory (Bentham, 32). By following this procedure, we are overshadowing the reasons that caused such pleasures and pains to occur. In Hoyvald’s case, he must have chosen the decision that was ethically right rather than the decision that was the best for his own sake, meaning that it caused more pleasure than pain. And by that we approach the definition of what is ethically right and what is not. When talking about ethics, specifically business ethics, one must refer to certain principles of conduct. A company’s behavior must reflect a social responsibility towards its customers, meaning that in that case, Beech-Nut must have confronted the public about the truth on their juice that was not really composed of apple concentrate as it has been labeled. In that way, the company could have made the right decision for the sake of everybody although the following consequences might not have supported their future as a business. This is simply the decision that the president could have gone
Physician Assisted Suicide Summary
1953 Words | 8 PagesHe believes that the pleasure or pain a person feels is directly related to whether or not the action was right or wrong (Bentham, 39). This means that an action is right when it causes the greatest pleasure for the person or group of people who are involved. If there is a group of people and a certain action would benefit the majority of them for good, then it would be considered to be the right action. On the other hand, if the action does not benefit the majority and only benefits a few, then it would be considered to be wrong. The ultimate goal of this theory is to bring happiness to those involved and to also prevent evil and unhappiness within the group (Bentham, 39).
Kitchener's Five Moral Principles
157 Words | 1 PagesIn 1984 Kitchener introduced five moral principles that are viewed as the cornerstone of the ethical guidelines. The principles are each definite truths in and of themselves. The first principle is Autonomy which means people have the right to live their own lives as their actions do not prevent the well-being of others. They also have the right to act as a free agent as well as the freedom of choice. Then there is the principle Nonmaleficence
Philippa Foot Arguments Against Utilitarianism
1325 Words | 6 PagesCaleb Stephens April 15, 2017 Introduction to Philosophy The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that Philippa Foot’s objection, raised to her own argument against utilitarianism, is correct. Her initial thesis is that benevolence, while the foundation of utilitarianism, is an internal end of morality, rather than the ultimate end of morality. The possible objection to this that there must be some overarching reason behind morality, which must imply a form of consequentialism. The response she offers is that there should be some other form of morality, which is a weak argument, as it does not provide an alternate conception of morality itself.
Compare And Contrast Deontology And Mill's Utilitarianism
1380 Words | 6 PagesWhen studying philosophy, a student becomes very aware of the contradiction and different opinions of highly remarked philosophers. Many students become frustrated with the opposition and question the importance of the study all together. Others choose to indulge in these differences to further their understanding beyond what he/ she thought capable of beforehand. The obvious contradictions between Kant’s deontology, and Bentham’s and Mill’s utilitarianism is a perfect example of such occasion in philosophy.
Analysis Of The Stormy Mind Of John Stuart Mill
1104 Words | 5 PagesIt was not until Mill’s late teens that he began to study Jeremy Bentham and his utilitarianism theory. “Reading Bentham satisfied Mill’s cravings for scientific precision and gave him a new way of looking at social intercourse” (Buchholz 97). Mill became so intrigued with Bentham that he decided to preach the Benthamite gospel in the Westminster Review, a publication started by his father and Jeremy Bentham. Mill’s views soon changed as he grew older. It is said that Mill had a mid-life crisis at the age of twenty because he took the Bentamite precision too far and actually forgot the ultimate goal of Utilitarianism in the first place, happiness.
Utilitarianism Theory: Jeremy Bentham And John Mill
1259 Words | 6 PagesThe Act Utilitarianism is Judges an act in terms of the consequences
Aristotle: Justice And Happiness
1108 Words | 5 PagesPhilosophers have debated the distinct subjects such as justice and happiness extensively. For instance, Plato discusses the subject of justice by arguing that justice is what allows people to live excellently. In contrast, Aristotle discusses happiness by arguing that acquiring virtues enables people to achieve the ultimate goal of happiness. What is the meaning of the terms justice and happiness? The term happiness could be elucidated as a satisfaction from goals achieved or from one’s status.
Similarities Between Aristotle And Utilitarianism
1413 Words | 6 PagesMany classical philosophers have given their voice to the nature of human life and what entails its climax. The very nature of human beings has been investigated, broadly, to establish a comprehensive understanding often pegged on morality. Yet, such thoughts have prompted diverse viewpoints with accompanying grounds or reasons. Happiness is an unending topic of discussion in philosophy. This paper explores the similarities and differences in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics and John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism to coin a position in whether or not happiness is the ultimate end that human society aspires to acquire.
Summary Of Bernard Williams A Critique Of Utilitarianism
1565 Words | 7 PagesBernard Williams’ essay, A Critique of Utilitarianism, launches a rather scathing criticism of J. J. C. Smart’s, An Outline of a System of Utilitarian ethics. Even though Williams claims his essay is not a direct response to Smart’s paper, the manner in which he constantly refers to Smart’s work indicates that Smart’s version of Utilitarianism, referred to as act-Utilitarianism, is the main focus of Williams’ critique. Smart illustrates the distinction between act-Utilitarianism and rule-Utilitarianism early on in his work. He says that act-Utilitarianism is the idea that the rightness of an action depends on the total goodness of an action’s consequences.
Deontology Vs Utilitarianism Essay
431 Words | 2 PagesIt is a results-based concept that gives no weight to the intentions that drive actions but, rather, places emphasis on the consequences of such actions. With specific reference to Bentham’s Utilitarianism and his incorporation of Hedonistic Calculus, this theory is simply derived from human being’s primal desires to seek pleasure and restrict pain, and suggests that morally good actions are those which would accomplish such. Furthermore, the idea of striving to achieve ‘the greatest amount of good for the greatest number’ fuels an objection to this theory when considering the minority,
Are The Similarities Between Bentham And John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism
908 Words | 4 PagesAs per the reading suggested by the instructor about the philosophical idea of Consequentialism (Utilitarianism) given by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill and the other concept which is given by Immanuel Kant in the critics of Utilitarianism theory which is called Deontological Ethics. The reading given made understand about all these two concept and their possible application in the policy or law making like the universal law. Utilitarianism:- this is the concept used by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and the John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). The core idea of this theory is the results comes from the action taken by the group of people or the individual. According to theory the outcomes will be judged weather the action was morally right or wrong.
Examples Of Utilitarianism In The Dark Knight
751 Words | 4 PagesThe utilitarian philosophers Jeremy Bentham and
Theories Of Utilitarianism, Kantianism, And Aristotelianism
1163 Words | 5 PagesThroughout history many great philosophers have attempted to unravel the origins of virtues by developing moral theories of their own. This document is designed to provide the reader with an overview of some of the more popular theories concerning morals. Three of the most popular moral theories are… Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotelianism. Though Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Aristotelianism differ in many ways, they also share similar fundamentals. Utilitarianism is a highly acclaimed theory that is morally based on consequentialism.
Utilitarianism In Business Ethics
1685 Words | 7 PagesThe hedonic calculus has seven different criteria that must be considered to evaluate the balance between good and evil. This appears practical and easy to use in any situation; however, it has its issues. For example, Bentham suggested that all pleasure and pain should be measured equally. This causes a major problem when put into the context of business ethics, as it suggests that the pain experienced by a child forced to work in a factory is equal to a shareholder in a business gaining a little more profit – surely, this is unethical. J.S. Mill noticed this issue, introducing rule utilitarianism, in which he recognised the differences in different types of pleasures.
Similarities Between Aristotle And Martin Seligman
908 Words | 4 PagesAt the end of everyone’s lives, the goal appears to be about attaining happiness. Describing how to obtain happiness has been an issue that was debated in the past but is still talked about now . In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle expands on his view of happiness and he focuses particularly on how reason helps recognize and pursue what will lead to happiness and the good life. I feel that Aristotle’s philosophies on happiness are important works within the field of philosophy and he considered one of the………of it . In this paper, I will explore Aristotle’s beliefs regarding happiness then compare and contrast them to those of Martin Seligman.
More about Jeremy Bentham's Principle Of Utility
Physician Assisted Suicide Summary
1953 Words | 8 PagesKitchener's Five Moral Principles
157 Words | 1 PagesPhilippa Foot Arguments Against Utilitarianism
1325 Words | 6 PagesCompare And Contrast Deontology And Mill's Utilitarianism
1380 Words | 6 PagesAnalysis Of The Stormy Mind Of John Stuart Mill
1104 Words | 5 PagesUtilitarianism Theory: Jeremy Bentham And John Mill
1259 Words | 6 PagesAristotle: Justice And Happiness
1108 Words | 5 PagesSimilarities Between Aristotle And Utilitarianism
1413 Words | 6 PagesSummary Of Bernard Williams A Critique Of Utilitarianism
1565 Words | 7 PagesDeontology Vs Utilitarianism Essay
431 Words | 2 PagesAre The Similarities Between Bentham And John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism
908 Words | 4 PagesExamples Of Utilitarianism In The Dark Knight
751 Words | 4 PagesTheories Of Utilitarianism, Kantianism, And Aristotelianism
1163 Words | 5 PagesUtilitarianism In Business Ethics
1685 Words | 7 PagesSimilarities Between Aristotle And Martin Seligman
908 Words | 4 Pages