Utilitarianism

Definition

Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that holds the view that the morally right course of action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people. It focuses on the consequences of our actions rather than the intentions or the inherent nature of the actions themselves.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Utilitarianism was developed by philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill as a way to provide a systematic approach to ethics and decision-making.
2. The core principle of utilitarianism is to maximize overall happiness or well-being, often quantified as the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
3. Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, as it judges the morality of an action based on its consequences rather than the action's adherence to a rule or the actor's intentions.
4. Utilitarianism is often contrasted with deontological ethics, which judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules.
5. Utilitarianism has been influential in fields like economics, public policy, and bioethics, where decisions often need to balance competing interests and maximize overall welfare.

Review Questions

• Explain how utilitarianism relates to the philosophical question of how we arrive at truth.
  • Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that judges the morality of actions based on their outcomes, rather than their adherence to absolute rules or the intentions of the actor. This focus on maximizing overall well-being and happiness aligns with the philosophical approach of arriving at truth through empirical observation and a consideration of the practical implications of beliefs and actions. Utilitarians would argue that the truth or rightness of a belief or action should be evaluated based on its ability to produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
• Discuss how the principles of utilitarianism might inform the writing of philosophy papers.
  • When writing philosophy papers, a utilitarian approach would emphasize the importance of clearly articulating the consequences and real-world implications of the ideas and arguments presented. Rather than focusing solely on abstract logical reasoning or adherence to philosophical frameworks, a utilitarian philosopher would likely strive to demonstrate how their ideas can be applied to maximize overall human well-being and flourishing. This could involve considering the practical applications of ethical theories, the social and political ramifications of metaphysical beliefs, or the potential impacts of epistemological assumptions on public policy and decision-making.
• Evaluate how utilitarianism relates to the basic questions about values that arise in ethics.
  • Utilitarianism is fundamentally concerned with the question of what constitutes the highest good or most desirable outcome. By defining this as the maximization of overall happiness or well-being, utilitarianism provides a clear framework for evaluating the relative worth of different values and moral considerations. This stands in contrast to other ethical theories, such as deontology or virtue ethics, which may prioritize adherence to rules or the cultivation of particular character traits. From a utilitarian perspective, the value of any belief, action, or institution must be judged based on its consequences and ability to promote the greatest good. This can lead to challenging questions about how to weigh and balance competing interests, as well as how to define and measure well-being.

Related terms

Consequentialism: The ethical theory that the consequences of one's actions are the ultimate basis for judgments about the morality of those actions.

Hedonism: The view that pleasure is the only intrinsic good and that all other goods derive their value from their ability to produce pleasure.

Eudaimonia: The ancient Greek concept of the highest human good, often translated as 'flourishing' or 'well-being.'