Utilitarianism PDF

UTILITARIANISM ALERA, CABASAN, ENSARAY, HIBALER, RAKMAN  WHAT IS UTILITARIANISM? Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes. It is a form of consequentialism. Utilitarianism holds that the most ethical choice is the one that will produc...

UTILITARIANISM ALERA, CABASAN, ENSARAY, HIBALER, RAKMAN  WHAT IS UTILITARIANISM? Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes. It is a form of consequentialism. Utilitarianism holds that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number.  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ENLIGHTENMENT ERA (1650-1800) During the Enlightenment Era (1650–1800), thinkers challenged traditional beliefs, focusing on reason, science, and individual rights rather than religious or royal authority. They believed reason could guide moral decisions, leading to the idea of natural rights like life, liberty, and property. This period laid the foundation for modern concepts of human rights, democracy, and secular ethics.  Locke's ideas on natural rights and individual liberty were foundational for later utilitarian thought. He argued that everyone has inherent rights, which should be protected by government, setting the stage for modern concepts of personal freedom and justice. Locke's focus on John Locke individual rights inspired thinkers like Bentham and (1632–1704) Mill.  Hume's work on human psychology and empiricism was crucial in shaping utilitarianism. He explored how human behavior is driven by feelings of pleasure and pain, which Bentham later used as a basis for his DAVID HUME ethical theory, where (1711 - 1776) actions are judged  This intellectual shift helped pave the way for Jeremy Bentham, who is considered the founder of utilitarianism. He introduced the "greatest happiness principle", which states that the JEREMY BENTHAM morally right action is the one that (1748 - 1832)  Mill refined and expanded upon Bentham's ideas, adding more depth to utilitarianism. He distinguished between higher (intellectual) and lower (bodily) John Stuart Mill pleasures, arguing that intellectual (1806 - 1873)  Further developed utilitarian ethics in his book. The Methods of Ethics ( 1874), bringing analytical rigor. He sought to address practical issues in HENRY SIDGWICK utilitarianism, including conflicts (1838 - 1900) 19th Century Influence: Utilitarianism gained traction in the 19th century, becoming a powerful tool in political, legal, and social reforms. It influenced democratic principles, social justice movements, and reform of the criminal justice system. Utilitarian thought was central to various policy changes, focusing on maximizing overall well-being. Modern Developments: In the 20th century, utilitarianism continued evolving through figures like Peter Singer, who applied utilitarian principles to issues such as animal rights, arguing that animals' capacity to suffer gives them moral consideration. Contemporary utilitarian thinkers discuss how to apply the theory to global issues, including poverty,  Key Proponents Jeremy Bentham John Stuart Mill Henry Sidgwick George Edward Moore Peter Singer T HEORY Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based on their consequences, specifically focusing on maximizing overall happiness or well-being. The central idea of utilitarianism is that an action is morally right if it leads to the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, and wrong if it causes harm or reduces overall happiness.  Utilitarianism is widely used in various fields, like public policy, economics, and healthcare, where decisions often need to be made for the greater good, though its focus on outcomes can sometimes clash with other ethical principles like justice and individual rights PRINCIPLE OF UTILITY  “WE SHOULD ACT ALWAYS SO AS TO PRODUCE THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST Consequentialism is an ethical theory that judges whether or not something is right by what its consequences are. For instance, most people would agree that lying is wrong. But if telling a lie would help save a person's life, consequentialism says it's the right thing to do. The Greatest Happiness Principle (GHP) is the ultimate standard of morality set up by utilitarianism. That classical creed conceives of good as happiness and holds that right actions are those which maximize the total happiness of the members of the community. Impartiality in morality requires that we give equal and / or adequate consideration to the interests of all concerned parties. The principles of impartiality assumes that every person, generally speaking, is equally important, that is no one is seen intrinsically more significant than anyone else.  Hedonism: Traditional utilitarianism sees happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain. Act vs. rule utilitarianism: Act utilitarianism: Evaluate each action individually based on its outcome. Rule utilitarianism: Follow rules that generally lead to the greatest happiness. Quantifying happiness: Classical utilitarians, like Bentham, proposed methods (e.g., Felicific Calculus) to measure happiness, but modern utilitarians focus more on the general principle. APPLICATIO N Everyday Decision-making -People can make decisions in their daily lives that contribute to the overall well-being of others. Career choice -Individuals may apply utilitarian principles when choosing careers that benefit society Interpersonal Relationships -Utilitarianism can guide how individuals interact with others, promoting kindness and consideration Health and Lifestyle Choices -Individuals can make lifestyle choices that promote their own health and, by extension, reduce the burden on society CRITICISMS  THE PROBLEM OF INJUSTICE It can justify actions that seem morally wrong if they bring more overall benefit, like sacrificing an innocent person to save many. This violates principles of justice and fairness.  THE ISSUE OF INCOMMENSURABILITY John Stuart Mill acknowledged the existence of "higher" and "lower" pleasures, arguing that intellectual and moral pleasures are qualitatively superior to mere sensory pleasures.  THE TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY It may lead to the majority's preferences dominating and marginalizing minorities, potentially suppressing individual rights.  NEGLECT OF INDIVIDUAL HUMAN RIGHTS The theory's focus on maximizing overall happiness can lead to the neglect of individual needs and the violation of fundamental freedoms.