Merits And Demerits Of Utilitarianism

Merits And Demerits Of Utilitarianism everyplace the history of philosophy, utileism has been widely regarded as an influential and convincing approach to normative ethics. It would not be possible to dissect and thoroughly talk over the galore(postnominal) varieties of utilitarian ethics instead I forget attempt to discuss the theory in broader less distinctive terms, and in particular the find outs of self-aggrandising utilitarian theorists legerdemain Stuart hero and Jeremy Bentham. Utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the virtuously righteousness operation is the promption that produces the most healthy. There are valet de chambrey ways to understand Utilitarianism as a code of ethics. It is important notwithstanding to bear in mind that the theory exists as a stratum of consequentialism whereby for an bodily function to be right, the consequences produced moldiness be exhaustively or desired. fundamentally stripped of most underlying complexit ies utilitarianism is essentially about maximising the good for the greatest chassis of people.Utilitarianism as described by Bentham is the greatest delight or greatest felicity principle. Mill believed that for an carry out to be deemed right it must promote or outgrowth in enjoyment, likewise a wrong action would be wizard that brings about displeasure. However this could be considered a quite egocentric and self satisfying claim if it were not for the important establishment that it is not the facilitators own happiness that matters except the happiness of a majority. Personally it dep poles that utilitarianism achieves its goals by promoting moral values of honour so that all several(prenominal)s work to serve the interests of differents, in my view, an unrealistic expectation. In this intellect it could be regarded as a standard for moral behaviour. Deontological ethics countenance a originful contrast to utilitarianism, which does not place utmost vastness on th e consequence of an action when determining the moral validity of an action.Utilitarianism as a concept essentially determines the moral worth of an action by its usefulness. If your action maximizes utility or usefulness to a large number of people it is deemed good. It is thus a form of consequentialism, (the moral worth of an action is determined by its out know.) Jeremy Bentham is largely credited with developing a integrated theory on Utilitarianism. Whilst his initial input is invaluable it would be illiterate to disregard the contributions of the man who greatly improved upon Benthams theories, John Stuart Mill.Both Bentham and Mill sought to use utilitarianism to help structure partnership. Mill believed we had rights if they were underwritten by utility. John Stuart Mill developed Benthams theory of utilitarianism and despite disagreeing with part of Benthams work, especially on the disposition of happiness, they were connatural. Bentham claimed that at that place were no qualitative differences among pleasures, only duodecimal unitys. Mill believed Benthams hedonism was likewise egalitarian. His view that unsophisticated pleasures particularly those of a stolid nature, were just as good as to a greater extent sophisticated and complex pleasures conflicted strongly with Mills view of clear differentiation between pleasures. Benthams mental picture that qualitative differences in pleasures were nonexistent left hand him open to criticism that gentleman pleasures were of no more value than animal pleasures. By this admission it was believed if there could be no differentiation of pleasures we were as morally complex as the common pig, tied to their sentience.Mills regularization utilitarianism involves encouraging people to shorten pleasurable activites as long as they belong to what he deems a higher(prenominal) pleasure, such as reading a piece of closely articulated philosophy or att demiseing the opera. His notion of what constitute s a higher pleasure is dictated by certain class values and shows an impudence in this assumption of ordering of pleasures. only the undivided can unfeignedly determine the level of pleasure. His presumption that intellectual pleasures are more capable and desirable than those of a more sensual nature in like manner spread abroad a certain bias of character. It seems rationale that the decision would be left to a person who has experienced both lower and higher pleasures to determine what is more fulfilling and in this regard, whilst I do not certainly acknowlight-emitting diodege i can make an educated guess he led a life without much of the more sensual pleasure. To some this seems to retrieve that Mill really wasnt a hedonistic utilitarian. Maybe it is simply the ground level of knowledge an individual has with the activity that determines the amount of pleasure they can contract from it, therefore their pleasure is limited by their socialisation. But I would drive th at the less educated pleasure of drinking a beer in a pub and watching sport, compared to watching the opera and conversing in an intellectual nature put up no difference if ones highest pleasure in both cases declared is simply that. By the same token, to remove a lower socio economical class citizen and place them within the opera which has no cultural mise en scene or relevance, they would find it a highly dissatisfying pleasure. There is no learn scale of validating higher and lower pleasures, for the individual meter reading ranges too greatly. Instead the greatest pleasure you experience becomes at the top of your individual rankings and depending on your socialisation you leave likewise rank all other experiences you clang. Whilst it is true a lower class citizen may not encounter a broadened range of intellectually stimulating pleasures, this is not to say they call for to in order to be fulfilled. Good and pleasure are formalize by the person that experiences the m and the culture they live in.It can be say in critique of Utilitarianism that it only looks at the consequences of actions, and disregards the bearing that motivate them. This like a shot seems like a huge moral oversight, especially regarding the legal establishment for where for one to be proven nefarious upon criminal charges both, Actus Reus-the guilty act- and Mens Rea-the guilty mind must be present. Certain crimes such as man slaughter and rape do not require Mens Rea but this is an exception. It would seem that society does not place a greater importance upon the intention of the act over the consequence consistently, quite it is situation dependent. However an enkindle contradiction, an action with bad intentions that inadvertently causes overall good is not labeld so harshly. Many utilitarians argue that utilitarianism, although it is consequentalist, is not so simply restricted. While the end reaping of a negatively motivated action may result in good (such as the collective vigilante action to cut down a paedophile) this does not mean utilitarians promote negative or detestable actions to produce a greater good. In this sense, intentions are important to utilitarians, in as much as they tend to leave behind to certain actions, which themselves lead to certain outcomes.Utilitarianism can be as complex as the interpretation and thought of the individual applying it to an respectable situation. For every situation the choice between actions is straightforward, choose the action that results in the greatest utility. However determining what act will conduct the greatest benefit can be rather more difficult. Our perceptions of usefulness may differ, as most certainly does the individual differ in their ideas of good. Certainly a well functioning society promotes an overarching theme of what is right or good but this does not overwhelm all perspectives. Utilitarianism does not care for the minority opinion. If an action can stop up grea test good for a greater amount of people but causes pain and suffering to a smaller population in the process, is it justifiable? Does the number or ratio of people transportd to dissatisfied have an effect? Can we make the value of a human life, rights, or opinion quantifiable? It is not always at the beginning of an action what the outcome will be, nor is it always feasible to accurately judge who and how it will affect people. Judging an action by the outcome is therefore stern to do before the consequences are clear surely it seems better to judge an action by its intention, even though there are also problems with this. Furthermore the calculations required to adequately make an informed judgement found upon utilitarian ethics can be complex and time consuming. In some instances, the people making decisions found upon utilitarian ethics may have no emotional interest. Whilst from a bias point of view this would seem sensible, is it really a humane thing to calculate issues pertaining to humanity without emotion? It seems to some point illogical, computerised and to some point a product of a desensitised age. In fact more individuals faced with decisions of importance may not have the ethical or moral intelligence to adequately navigate a complex issue requiring ethical deliberation utilitarianism would be dangerous in the hands of policy makers or people of power who have limited capacity to think carefully. It can simply advise too easy a solution to a much more complex issue.In response to objections such as these, certain supporters of utilitarianism have put forth a modification of the theory. The original form of Utilitarianism that has so many flaws is to be called Act utilitarianism. Act utilitarianism declares that each individual action is to be assessed directly in terms of the utility principle. A desirable and much needed improvement is rule utilitarianism where about behaviour is evaluated by rules that, if universally happened would lead to the greatest good for the greatest number.Thus, rule utilitarianism could lead some of the flaws previously highlighted by using the utility principle to bear out and give substance to the rules that protected essential human rights and the universal prohibition era of certain actions. None the less this in turn raises problems, if the justification of the rule that protects human rights is found in the utility principle, what about the exception where breaching these rights leads to the learning of the greatest good for the greatest number? It seems as if rule utilitarianism is no longer utilitarianism in the true sense of the word. For it to be regarded as such, it must maintain the utility principle as its definitive standard, and no rules or rights designed to protect the greatest number can stand in its way. This is where Act utilitarianism must once again be called into place, despite its many flaws.Despite the inconvenient contradiction within rule utilitarianism, a governing body of rules would help a majority of the time, even if they only served in an informative capacity. It would help make choices, based upon prior occurrences, and negate the need for endless calculations in most but not all situations. Somewhat similar to case law where one persons actions and the courts determination upon them set precedent for the abutting issue that similarly arises. Indeed this invokes instant opposition to the idea based upon the fact situations should be dealt with on individual merit but to happen there must be compromises. I believe that whilst Utilitarianism is in theory understandable and rational, it is opera hat left to the few that are capable of applying it successfully. I could not base an entire lifes decisions of the basis of utility, I would not end up a happy being, and I believe that no one could, constantly thinking of the greater good, we are selfish creatures. The thought of those in power using utilitarianism to determine appropriate courses of actions in certain ethical situations unsettles me. Especially regarding contentious issues such as asylum seekers, where the happiness or desires of the majority are not always well informed. The greatest good is rarely served accurately when the uninformed or misguided masses follow rules out of duty and leave the difficult and subtle calculations solely to those in authority. This is a dangerous attitude and far from involving or considered. There becomes too much control vested in those with positions of power and in the hands of a dictator the masses could easily suffer.In conclusion Utilitarianism as a normative code of ethics is only as useful as the person who interprets and uses it. It is but a tool to navigate ethical considerations, one that must be used knowing fully the positives and negatives to be weighed. maybe it is a code of ethics that is valuable but imperfect for universe we are in our own judgement never perfect, we cannot make decision s that please everyone this is as far as I can see in difficult situations, impossible. Instead it is in our best interests to act for the greater good, as what would be the sense in displeasing the majority unless the majority is morally repugnant and evil. Somehow this consideration scares me, for surely there will come a time where my wills are no longer in the best interests of the majority. Do my opinion and feelings no longer count to a utilitarian decision maker? This is certainly a complication, but with sound think and sensible interpretation utilitarianism will work, but only for those whose intentions coincide with the majority. Utilitarianism will always be rationalised and beneficial, even if only for the greater good.