What utilitarianism is and why it is important
In this essay on utilitarianism, I am going to explain what utilitarianism is and why it is important. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds that actions should be judged by how much good they produce for society. It was developed in the 18th century by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.
What Is Utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that says that we should do whatever will bring about the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. This means that we should act so as to maximize utility, or pleasure and minimize pain.
Why Is It Important?
If you think about it, utilitarianism makes sense. After all, who wants to live in a world where everyone is miserable? So, if we want to make the world a better place, we need to focus on making sure that everyone has enough food, shelter, clothing, etc., so that no one is suffering.
Examples Of Utilitarianism
There are two main schools of thought when it comes to utilitarianism. One school believes that people should do whatever will lead to the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This is called “maximizing utility.” The other school believes that people should only act according to rules that are fair and just. This is called ‘minimizing harm.’
Utilitarianism is the belief that people should act in ways that maximize happiness or minimize suffering. It’s also known as consequentialist ethics. The term utilitarianism comes from Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832), an English philosopher who developed this ethical theory. He believed that actions should be judged by how much good they produce for society.
The Greatest Happiness Principle.
In his book “The Greatest Happiness Principle,” John Stuart Mill wrote that the greatest happiness principle was the basis for his moral philosophy. According to him, the only thing we should do is what will make us happiest.
The Greatest Good Principle.
This idea has been used by philosophers since ancient times. Aristotle believed that the goal of life was to live well and to achieve virtue. He thought that living well meant being happy and achieving virtue meant doing good things.
The Greatest Happiness Principle Applied to Society.
In modern society, utilitarianism is often applied to social issues. For example, some believe that the greatest happiness principle should guide our decisions when we make laws and policies. They think that the government should try to do what will lead to the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
The Greatest Happiness Principle Applied to Individuals.
There are two main forms of utilitarianism: deontological and teleological. Deontologists believe that moral rules exist because they promote human flourishing. Teleologists believe that morality exists because it promotes the greater good. Both views agree that the greatest happiness principle applies to individuals.
The Greatest Happiness Principle and the Golden Rule.
The Golden Rule states “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This rule is based on the idea that we should treat other people with respect and dignity. In addition, the Golden Rule is often used to justify the use of force. However, there are some who argue that the Golden Rule does not apply to nonhuman animals.
Conclusion
So, we have seen how utilitarianism is different from both deontology and consequentialism. It is also important to note that utilitarianism does not mean that we must ignore our moral values. Rather, it means that we should use them as guidelines to help us make decisions.
