...Utilitarianism and virtue ethics both direct an individual’s moral decisions, but neither theory is perfect. Whilst utilitarianism focuses more on the consequences of our actions, virtue ethics focuses on the character of the person. In this essay, I will elaborate more on the core concepts of both utilitarianism and virtue ethics. Then, I will introduce a scenario that will be used to compare the two ethical frameworks side by side based on their suggestions. Finally, I will argue that between virtue ethics and utilitarianism in this scenario, even though they do not provide a morally perfect answer, utilitarianism has a more morally preferable answer than virtue ethics. Utilitarianism, also called by John Stuart Mill the “Greatest Happiness Principle” (Mill, p.77), states that “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the opposite of happiness” (Mill, p.77). According to this principle, the actions that provide the greatest amount of happiness overall are morally the right actions to take, no matter what the said action actually is, because happiness is “pleasure and the absence of pain” (Woody Lecture Notes, Nov.5). This is known as maximizing total net utility, utility meaning “a measure of whatever one takes to be intrinsically good or...
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...AS Philosophy of Religion 2001 1. (a) What are the key features of the design argument for the existence of God? (10 marks) (b) Identify the strengths of this argument. To what extent are these strengths more convincing than its weaknesses? (10 marks) 2. (a) Describe the main strengths and weaknesses of the cosmological argument for the existence of God. (14 marks) (b) To what extent do the weaknesses of this argument limit its effectiveness? (6 marks) 3. (a) Examine the characteristics of BOTH a religious and a scientific interpretation of the origins of the universe. (14 marks) (b) Comment on the view that the differences between these interpretations rule out any major disagreement between them. (6 marks) 4. (a) What do religious believers mean by the ‘problem of suffering’? (5 marks) (b) Select any TWO theodicies and consider how far they offer solutions to this problem. (15 marks) 5. (a) Examine TWO philosophical reasons for belief in miracles. (6 marks) (b) Outline at least TWO problems with belief in miracles. (8 marks) (c) Consider the claim that there are no acceptable solutions to these problems. (6 marks) 2002 1. (a) Outline the design argument for the existence of God. (7 marks) (b) ‘The design argument fails because of its weaknesses.’ Examine and comment on this claim. (13...
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...formalism is a theory which defines moral judgments in the most logical form. Ethical formalism does not focus around human well being, or feelings. No personal interest is involved when dealing with ethical formalism. In the movie, Sophie’s Choice, a mother is forced to choose one of her children to go into the gas chamber. This is an awful situation to be in, however, if she does not choose, then both of her children would end up being killed. This result is unimaginable. Ethical formalism and a utilitarianism approach would solve the issue two different ways. Ethical formalism would suggest that the mother does not choose between her children. It is not right to make a mother choose between her children. Ethical formalism would say the right thing to do is save both children. The mother could have lied and said the children were old enough to work, and therefore, they could have a more promising chance at being saved, rather than facing the gas chambers. On the other hand, utilitarianism focuses around the greatest good results with happiness for the greatest number of people. For example, this approach would lead the mother to choose between her children, and put one of them through the gas chamber. This approach would save one life, rather than destroying two. The mother would still have one of her children, and the other would take its chances. The benefit to this approach would be that one of her children is saved, and she did not let both of them get killed. Each of these...
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...defines utilitarianism as a concept were “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.” In other words Mill said that an action is right if produces happiness and wrong if that action reverse happiness. He also stated that some pleasures are higher than others, and what produces greater happiness is the right thing to do. But, there exists objections to the utilitarianism as the individual rights are no respected, it is not enough time to make decision morally right or wrong, and how he contradicts his subordinate rules. I will begin my argument with one of the major objections about the utilitarianism, and it is how Mill’s approach seem to leave no room for individual choices. John Stuart Mill stated that what produces happiness to a large group of people is the moral right thing to do. But part of my disagree with Mills approach, is that not always what produces happiness to a large group of...
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...AS Philosophy & Ethics Course Handbook 2013 to 2014 [pic] OCR AS Level Religious Studies (H172) http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/gce/hss/rs/index.aspx OCR AS Level Religious Studies (H172) You are studying Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics and will be awarded an OCR AS Level in Religious Studies. The modules and their weightings are: |AS: |Unit Code |Unit Title |% of AS |(% of A Level) | | |G571 |AS Philosophy of Religion |50% |(25%) | | |G572 |AS Religious Ethics |50% |(25%) | If you decide to study for the full A Level you will have to study the following modules at A2: |A2: |Unit Code |Unit Title |(% of A Level) | | |G581 |A2 Philosophy of Religion |(25%) | | |G582 |A2 Religious Ethics |(25%) | Grading | ...
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...Business Ethics Truman’s Decision Should the United States drop the atomic bomb, or should they invade Japan on foot in order to end World War II? Is it okay to kill innocent people as a means to reach a justifiable end? These were the questions that President Harry Truman was faced with near the close of World War II. More than 10’s of millions of people had already lost their lives during this war, and Japan was refusing to surrender even though it was clear to not only us, but also Japan themselves, that their defeat was inevitable. The president was under tremendous pressure to end this costly war, and a tough decision had to be made. This paper will evaluate from which ethical perspective Truman made his decision to use the atomic bomb, and why I believe it was ethically okay for him to choose the option that would cost the lives of over 200,000 Japanese civilians. The two ethical perspectives examined are utilitarianism and Kantianism. First, utilitarianisms fall under the school of ethics called consequentialism. It says that the moral status of the actions you take should be judged by the consequences of those actions. This ethical perspective can be used to answer the question proposed at the beginning of the paper, is it okay to kill innocent people as a means to reach a justifiable end? Supporters of utilitarianism would say that as long as the outcome contributes to the greater good of the greatest amount of people, then yes the act can be justified by the...
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...Explain both the general principles of utilitarianism and the distinctive features of rule utilitarianism. (30 marks) In the following essay in order to illustrate the general principles of Utilitarianism; I will first introduce the general principles of Utilitarianism as a theory used by many, then secondly I will explain the principles of rule utilitarianism by Mill. Finally I sum up both the principles and rule of utilitarianism. Teleological ethics is one of the principles on which Utilitarianism is based. They focus on the consequences/result which any action might have. Thus, in order to make correct moral choices, we have to have some understanding of what will result from our choices. When we make choices which result in the correct consequences, then we are acting morally; when we make choices which result in the incorrect consequences, then we are acting immorally. A deontological approach is the opposite to this because it focuses on the act itself. Utilitarianism is an example of a teleological theory because an action's morality is based on whether its consequence brings the Greatest Happiness. This Greatest Happiness Principle or the Principle of Utility, or the ‘The greatest happiness for the greatest number’ is the main principle of a number of ethical theories that fall under the umbrella of ‘Utilitarianism’. It was Jeremy Bentham who first developed these general principles into fully articulated theory. It was he who introduced the principle of...
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...Categoricalism, Contractualism and Utilitarianism Three schools of thoughts on morality and philosophy are Categoricalism, Contractualism and Utilitarianism. Each attempts to define ethical living and is one the building blocks of modern philosophy. Categoricalism basically says if something is ok for me to do it, then it must be ok for the masses, or everybody. Conversely, is something isn’t ok for me to do, and then it follows that it isn’t ok for everyone as well. The concept of Catergoricalism comes from Prussian philosopher Immanuel Kant, who was very influential on modern philosophy. The idea is that we should act as if everyone did the same and don’t put ourselves above other people. Contractualism originated from the writings of Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher who wrote a booked named Leviathan. The concept of contractualism starts in the state of nature that is the time before ethics and according to Hobbs; humanity is in a war of all against all. Without contracts that define how we should act, all chaos would break out and everyone would be out for themselves without any consequences. Ethics are basically agreements that people have between each other that govern how they will act. Utilitarianism is about how much happiness and suffering you create for everyone through your actions. Originating from the writings of English philosopher John Stuart Mill, utilitarianism states that which results in the happiness of the greatest number of people is the...
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...ethics paper Ethics Essay Curtis Menezes ETH/316 April 11, 2013 Kevin Burke Ethics Essay When discussing similarities and differences of virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics, one will notice that the differences outweigh the similarities. Utilitarianism states that an action is in the right but only if it stays true to the principle of utility. Deontological ethics is a little different as it's basis of right and wrong has to do with nothing else that an individual's duty. The virtue theory is based on the two types of virtue which are intellectual and moral(Fahey, 2010). Utilitarianism was founded in the Victorian era by Jeremy Bentham. Bentham came up with this idea because he wanted to have a way for people to have the ability to be as happy as possible, and in doing a morally correct action it would make that person feel good which would give a sense of happiness. Deontological ethics can be seen in a quite different light. this theory is based on the duty of an individual. it could be used during a war because in any other time it is wrong to kill, but during a war if one kills because it is the duty of a soldier then that makes it ok and in most cases morally correct (Fahey, 2010). The virtue theory is more modern and ethical. Like utilitarianism it was invented to bring happiness, but it has more freedoms along with it. the virtue theory lets the individual become the one in charge and decide from learning what is morally correct...
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...for America to drop the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima and kill 66,000 of people in order to save a greater amount of people is completely dependent on the point of view we are taking. A deontologist might think it is not acceptable because it is always wrong to kill regardless how many more lives will be save. On the other hand, a utilitarian might believe it is acceptable because it is worthy to kill a certain number and save a greater number of lives. In this case, I would argue in favor of utilitarianism, I believe the death of 66,000 is better than the death of a much larger number from different country. First of all, I would like to explain the principle of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism suggest that we should “seek the greatest happiness of the greatest number”, or we might refer as “the right of majority outweigh the right of minority”. I stand by utilitarianism because I believe in its principal and I believe the outcomes are more important than the action. During the Second World War, Japan aggressively invaded seven countries and killed millions and millions of civilians, one that might stand out in our mind is the massacre of Nanking. After their massive killings in China, they decided to attack Pearl Harbour in the US and killed thousands. As the number of death increased, the US decided that it is time to stop. They took the action of dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in order to cut off their resources. In this bombing of Hiroshima, 66, 000 is killed. A deontologist...
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...if it ends in unhappiness (pain). Since the link between actions and their happy or unhappy outcomes depends on the circumstances, no moral principle is absolute or necessary in itself under utilitarianism. Utilatarianism Proposed by the English philosopher-reformer Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) in his 1789 book Principles Of Morals And Legislation it was developed by the English philosopher-economist John Stuart Mill (1806-73) in his 1863 book Utilitarianism. Bentham’s Formulation of Utilitarianism are firstly, man is under two great masters which is pain and pleasure. Secondly, the great good that we should seek is happiness (a hedonistic perspective). Those actions whose results increase happiness or diminish pain are good. So that, they have “utility.” There are four theses of Utilitarianism which are the rightness of actions is determined solely by their consequences (Consequentialism), utility is the degree to which an act produces pleasure. Hedonism is the thesis that pleasure or happiness is the good that we seek and that we should seek (Hedonism), a right action produces the greatest good consequences and the least bad (Maximalism) and the consequences to be considered are those of everyone affected, and everyone equally (Universalism) There are two types of Utilitarianism which are act and rule. Act according to Jeremy Bentham is an action is right if and only if it produces the greatest balance of pleasure over pain for the greatest number. While rule according...
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...distortion or over refinement of a meaning or an argument” (“Torture,” 2013). There are debates about torture and whether or not is unethical or a cruel and unusual punishment. People have been taught to believe that torturing a person is unacceptable and inhumane. However, the torturing of an enemy to get answers is not considered cruel and inhumane especially, when it involves saving the lives of many. This paper will analyze whether torturing enemy combatants or high-value targets violates standards of morality in an American free society. It will also examine whether the act of torture violates basic human rights and if it could have global implications, and last determine if torture may be justified under ontological, deontological, utilitarianism, or the natural law theory. Torture and the Enemy Is the torturing an enemy combatant or high value target violates the standards of morality in an American free society? To understand this question better, "morality are codes of conduct put forward by a society, religious group, or individual for his or her own behavior, or it is a code of conduct given specified conditions, would be put forward by all...
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...equality, one of the greatest controversy’s debated across the ages. I believe the Utilitarianism has influenced American society in regards to gender equality. I believe that women in society have benefited greatly from utilitarianism way of thinking. This theory as I feel it has been applied in American society, has clouded the judgement of our society and it has become a norm. In our strides to make the genders equal we have failed to step back and see the reasoning behind or look at the effects it will have. It’s had adverse effects on many parts of our society especially the work force and in our court systems. Utilitarianism is the ethical theory that says “given a choice one should make the choice that will bring the most happiness to the greatest amount of people. With the utilitarianism theory it is believed that humans will seek pleasure meaning happiness, such as having a family have that dream job, or even having that dream job. The theory also implies that humans in seeking happiness we also try to avoid pain, losing our families, going to jail or not having the money you want. The theory suggests that our pursuit of happiness and our avoidance of pain go hand in hand with our daily decisions throughout our lives. (http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/pub/content/2427cebc-2041-43f9-bbcd-a03d2e34c661/PHI208.W2.Mill_Utilitarianism_Reading.pdf) The utilitarianism theory has effected the gender equality because of the simple fact I merely shows...
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...What Nagel would say about the Moral Permissibility of bombing Centerville is exactly the conclusion listed above. If the costs outweigh the means, then while every state would prefer an alternative to war, in cases where “utility and interest fail” or when these two factors are independent of the scenario- Centerville, in our case, it is not reasonable to use utilitarianism as a method for deciding to bomb Centerville. The problem with Centerville, that I think Nagel would argue, is that it is assumed that each party would prefer an alternative to killing anyone. But also assuming our state also wanted to win the war, each option involves killing some population of people as a result and therefore, rules out the utilitarianism perspective...
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...another to establish power. More specifically, Americans have been involved in many wars over the years. Some of these wars have been about nothing more than a power trip, but more recently there has been an ongoing war against terrorism. When thinking of a war and the violence that comes along with it, it seems as though all measures should be taken to prevent such a tragic resolution. When those measures are not successful, or an attack is made on an opposing country, war is usually inevitable, especially when there is terrorism involved. The question arises: Is war on terrorism ethical and just? Using the utilitarian and deontologist theories, I will demonstrate how war on terrorism is in fact justified. Utilitarianism is the theory that the consequences of an action determine the morality of the act; it is also focused on an outcome that appeases the majority (Mosser, 2013). For example, if my children both like pepperoni only on their pizza, and we are a family of three, it would make the most sense to order a pepperoni pizza rather than a deluxe since the pepperoni appeases both children. Since utility is based on consequences, this scenario works because while I enjoy deluxe pizza and it would please me, my children are the majority and pepperoni isn’t bad at all. When applying this ethical theory to the topic of war on terrorism, Americans can be considered just in fighting the war because the vast majority of Americans can agree that terrorism must be stopped. The...
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