What is the primary focus of Act Utilitarianism as presented by Bentham?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the primary focus of Act Utilitarianism as presented by Jeremy Bentham, specifically looking for an understanding of how this ethical theory evaluates actions based on their consequences.
Answer
Maximizing overall well-being defines the rightness of an act in Act Utilitarianism.
The primary focus of Act Utilitarianism, as presented by Bentham, is that an act is right if and only if it results in at least as much overall well-being as any alternative act the agent could have performed. This means in any situation, one should act to maximize overall well-being.
Answer for screen readers
The primary focus of Act Utilitarianism, as presented by Bentham, is that an act is right if and only if it results in at least as much overall well-being as any alternative act the agent could have performed. This means in any situation, one should act to maximize overall well-being.
More Information
Act Utilitarianism emphasizes the immediate effects of each individual action, rather than following general rules, to determine moral correctness based on the consequences.
Tips
Avoid confusing act utilitarianism with rule utilitarianism, which emphasizes adherence to rules that generally maximize well-being.
Sources
- Act Utilitarianism - The Cambridge Companion to Utilitarianism - cambridge.org
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