Free Essays on Utilitarianism

According to J.J.C. Smart, utilitarianism is a theory that all actions are judged by their consequences. The following paper will deal with two forms of utilitarianism: 1) extreme utilitarianism, and 2) restricted utilitarianism. J.J.C. Smart outlines the various aspects of each of these forms of utilitarianism in his paper, Extreme and Restricted Utilitarianism. These aspects will be discussed in the current paper. The differences between the two forms of utilitarianism will also be discussed. Within his paper, J.J.C. Smart poses some very valid challenges towards utilitarianism. This paper will outline these challenges and propose some possible rebuttals from John Stuart Mill. Extreme Utilitarianism According to Smart, an extreme utilitarian believes that general rules are simply rules of thumb that we use in order to avoid having to figure out the possible consequences of our actions at every step. Smart also states that an extreme utilitarian will direct his behaviour according to the rules of morality. The examples Smart provides are â€Å"do not lie†, and â€Å"do not break promises†. Use religion as an example. Most religions follow fairly strict rules and/or commandments. These rules are followed because the consequences of not following them would not benefit the majority of people. It is the current author’s belief that most religions follow extreme utilitarianism. In Smart’s paper on utilitarianism, he discusses the frequency of actions and decisions being made in a hurry. Smart used the example of a person drowning; however for the sake of change, imagine a different example. You are driving down a fairly deserted road. You see a stranded motorist on the shoulder of the road. There is no time to make a decision, after all if you wait to long, you’ll have passed the motorist. Trusting his instincts, according to Smart, the extreme utilitarian would stop to assist the motorist. But now consi... Free Essays on Utilitarianism Free Essays on Utilitarianism Utilitarianism. Explain Bentham’s version of Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the belief that the value of a thing or an action is determined by its utility (usefulness). A system of ethics proposed by Jeremy Bentham puts forward the view that ‘good’ can be defined as the ‘greatest happiness for the greatest number.’ According to Utilitarianism, in its various forms, there is no ultimate or absolute goodness, but, Bentham said that the best thing to do in a given situation is to find a course of action that will provide happiness to everyone. Right and wrong according to utilitarianism, are relative to the people involved and the things which give them pleasure. Bentham believed that whatever people did in a day would be judged on whether or not it benefited people in society. He also believed that everyone had an equal right to happiness and everyone was equal irrespective of what types of person they were. The basis of this is Hedonism which means ethical principle holding that only what is pleasant or has pleasant consequences is mostly good. There are four points to hedonism which are; Psychological hedonism – people do seek happiness – so do what will make them happy, ethical hedonism – you have a duty to be happy therefore you ought to be happy, egotistical hedonism – do what makes yourself happy and altruistic hedonism meaning do what makes others happy. Bentham never really sorted out the distinctions or made them clear. He probably wanted it to be altruistic because he was concerned with social laws. He suggested a way of measuring happiness which is called the Felicific Calculus which is a method of working out the sum total of pleasure and pain produced by an act, and therefore the total value of its consequences. When determining what action is right in a given situation, we should consider the pleasures and pains from it, in respect of their Duration, Certainty, Spin off, Purity, ... Free Essays on Utilitarianism According to J.J.C. Smart, utilitarianism is a theory that all actions are judged by their consequences. The following paper will deal with two forms of utilitarianism: 1) extreme utilitarianism, and 2) restricted utilitarianism. J.J.C. Smart outlines the various aspects of each of these forms of utilitarianism in his paper, Extreme and Restricted Utilitarianism. These aspects will be discussed in the current paper. The differences between the two forms of utilitarianism will also be discussed. Within his paper, J.J.C. Smart poses some very valid challenges towards utilitarianism. This paper will outline these challenges and propose some possible rebuttals from John Stuart Mill. Extreme Utilitarianism According to Smart, an extreme utilitarian believes that general rules are simply rules of thumb that we use in order to avoid having to figure out the possible consequences of our actions at every step. Smart also states that an extreme utilitarian will direct his behaviour according to the rules of morality. The examples Smart provides are â€Å"do not lie†, and â€Å"do not break promises†. Use religion as an example. Most religions follow fairly strict rules and/or commandments. These rules are followed because the consequences of not following them would not benefit the majority of people. It is the current author’s belief that most religions follow extreme utilitarianism. In Smart’s paper on utilitarianism, he discusses the frequency of actions and decisions being made in a hurry. Smart used the example of a person drowning; however for the sake of change, imagine a different example. You are driving down a fairly deserted road. You see a stranded motorist on the shoulder of the road. There is no time to make a decision, after all if you wait to long, you’ll have passed the motorist. Trusting his instincts, according to Smart, the extreme utilitarian would stop to assist the motorist. But now consi...