...Utilitarianism— A Flawed Moral Theory Utilitarianism is an ethical theory founded by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. This theory stresses the greatest happiness principle. Actions that promote happiness are seen as morally acceptable while things that fail to promote happiness are seen as morally unacceptable. The pursuit of happiness is the key concept in utilitarianism. Rachel’s further explains this idea in The Right Thing to Do, “Utilitarianism is the theory that we should always try to bring about as much happiness as possible”(Rachels, 40). The term happiness when used by Rachels means the absence of pain or the presence of pleasure. I will argue against the theory of utilitarianism simply because it is too demanding and directly conflicts with moral common sense. At first glance, utilitarianism seems like an acceptable theory. The idea of promoting happiness is simple and widely appealing. Unfortunately, utilitarianism is not as simple as it seems. The concept should be rejects as it is not morally plausible. The first objection with the theory stems from the general structure where it directly conflicts with moral common sense. Using utilitarianism, when there are two different options being considered, moral common sense is one option, while utilitarianism is the opposite option. An example of this is seen while riots occur. Suppose riots are occurring in a town because citizens are being killed by an unknown suspect. As the person in charge, there...
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...5 Patients that Suffered a Brain Injury or Trauma William N. Palma University of Belize Belmopan, Belize (501) 822-3680 5 patients that suffered a Brain Injury The brain produces our every thought, action, memory, feeling and experience of the world. This jelly-like figure of tissue, weighing in at around 3 pounds, contains an amazing one hundred billion nerve cells, or neurons (Philips, 2006). Its same complexity and uniqueness makes the brain tremendously delicate. Dr. Roger Landry relates that your clever brain produces nearly 10,000 new cells every day and the fact that the brain can be enhanced just as any muscle, improving memory and cognitive ability, regardless of age (2014). A trauma or injury on any part of the brain assures a conspicuous change on the individual because it is the brain that directs the human activities. Throughout history, various individuals damaged this significant organ whereby drastic changes on personality behaviors and even death became the result. Phineas Gage is one of the most famous and documented cases of severe brain injury. Gage and his crew were working on the Rutland and Burlington Railroad near Cavendish in Vermont. Gage was organizing for an explosion by compacting a bore with explosive powder using a tamping iron. According to the Neuroscience writer, Mo Constandi, “While he was doing this, a spark from the tamping iron exploded the powder, causing the iron to be propelled at high speed straight through Gage’s skull”...
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...What are the advantages of ethical egoism? Advantages of ethical egoism: * It is easier for egoists to know what is in their own self-interest than it is for other moralist, who are concerned about more than self-interest, to know what is on the best interest of others. It is easier for egoists to know what is in their own self-interest than it is for other moralist * It encourages individual freedom and responsibility and fits in best, according to egoists, without capitalist economy. Ethical Egoism encourages individual freedom and responsibility. * It can work successfully as long as people are operating in limited spheres, isolated from each other, thereby minimizing conflicts. Limitation of this advantage of ethical egoism: * It offers no consistent method of resolving conflict if self-interests. Its not help resolving self-interest. * We do not live in isolated, self-sufficient communities, but rather in increasingly crowded communities where social, economic, and moral interdependence are facts of life and where self-interests conflict and somehow must be compromised. Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism. Utilitarian maintains that everyone should perform that act or follow that moral rule which will bring about the greatest good or happiness for everyone concerned. Act utilitarianism Act utilitarianism states that everyone should perform that act which will bring about the greatest good over bad for everyone affected by the...
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...Eliane Djiguemde IDIS 302.003 PROFESSOR: MARK BELL PH.D CASE STUDY II Society is a place where groups of people live and interact together. Therefore with the set of rules and laws, some people do not always make the right decisions or choice toward events or situations. However, people rely upon their morals principles to make righteous decisions for a better understandings and community lives. Many people use the ethical values because it may help them act morally in a given situation, conform to the laws and do the right thing as presented. It is in relation of the moral decision making that the story of this car manufacturer recalls that people have to use their ethical values in measure to act as right as possible toward one to another in given circumstances. Utilitarianism in general could be defined as a moral principle that holds that the righteous or wrongness of an action could be determined by its usefulness of bringing the most happiness to the greatest number of people affected by the act. Also, the theory of utilitarianism values that the morality of an action is the one that maximizes utility. Many people use the moral principles of the utilitarian to respond in a given situation and do as right as possible. However, some people do not always use their morals values in some situations and tend to use to react on their self-interest or well-being. The story of the number one car manufacturer presents that in the society where...
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...NO |NAMA |PENJELASAN | | |1. |TELEOLOGI |Definisi : Teleologi berasal dari bahasa Yunani, yaitu “Telos” yang berarti akhir/tujuan/maksud| | | |dan “Logos” yang berarti pengetahuan. Teleologi adalah ajaran yang menerangkan segala sesuatu | | | |dan segala kejadian menuju pada tujuan tertentu. Istilah teleologi dikemukakan oleh Christian | | | |Wolff, seorang filsuf Jerman abad ke-18. Teleologi merupakan sebuah studi tentang gejala-gejala| | | |yang memperlihatkan keteraturan, rancangan, tujuan, akhir, maksud, kecenderungan, sasaran, | | | |arah, dan bagaimana hal-hal ini direalisasikan dengan cara yang baik. | | | |Teori Turunannya : | | | |Hedonisme, merupakan ajaran atau pandangan bahwa kesenangan atau kenikmatan merupakan tujuan | | | |hidup dan tindakan manusia. Kata Hedonisme diambil dari bahasa Yunani, yaitu hēdonismos dari | | | |akar kata hēdonē yang berarti "kesenangan". Paham ini menjelaskan bahwa apa yang memuaskan | | | |keinginan manusia dan apa yang meningkatkan...
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...Ethics Essay Jermaine Ford ETH/316 June 12, 2016 Dr. Stephanie Hancock Ethics Essay Everyday people deal with difficult situations. For years Ethical theories have been the main point in creating solutions to these problems. Ethical theory has to do with how people react to situations as well as how they react in with dealing with others. The main idea of this paper will be to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between deontological ethics, utilitarianism, and virtue theory. A description of the differences in how each theory addresses ethics and morality as well as a personal experience to explain the relationship between moral concepts, values, and virtue will included as well (Manias, Monroe, & Till, 2013). The virtue theory deals with character traits as the most important part. Moral character is most emphasized element in ethical thinking. This is placed above ones actions in order to bring good consequences to the situation. Virtue theory also has to do with integrity to the highest order over the behavior and decisions (“Ethical Theories Compared”, 2001). Virtuous people are kind above all else. They are kind because of their character and do not concern themselves with receiving favors or thinking about how the situation can benefit them. Theories of virtue do not identify characteristics principles that can use in any moral situation (“Ethical Theories Compared”, 2001). Morality has to do with your actions when other people are directly...
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...Business Ethics, A Ceaseless Battle I have chosen to evaluate the following rules of ethics as they apply to the world of business: utilitarianism, moral rights and the justice rule. In this paper, I will define each approach and provide the strength and weakness of each as well as compare and contrast the theories I have chosen. UTILITARIAN APPROACH When employed in the use of making business decisions, the goal of utilitarianism is to maximize the greater good for the greater group of people or on the contrary, minimize the negative effects of a decision experienced by a group of people. (See essay by John Stuart Mill, Utilitarism, 1863) While it forces you to consider how the actions of a business could affect its employees, consumers, shareholders, etc., the problem is that it is often very difficult to give value to and measure the benefits of a decision versus any negative result of said action. As an example, you could look at a business’ decision to outsource jobs on a global level. The decision to outsource would benefit the business, shareholders and consumers if it increases the company’s profit margin. However, this decision would no doubt result in layoffs of domestic employees which would also affect that community. Although the business may dislike the effects of outsourcing on the community, they have to consider certain outcomes resulting from resident production such as the bankruptcy or liquidation of the business. The utilitarian approach...
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...Philosopher: John Stuart Mill Background According to John Stuart Mill, “Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative.” John Stuart Mill was a philosopher that was born in 1806 in London, England to philosopher, John Stuart. At age 17, John Stuart Mill became a utilitarian, which means he believed in the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority. At this point in his life he formed the utilitarian society. At the age of 24 he started to write articles and essays in support of women’s rights. At this point in his life Mill believed that women should have rights and equality but not necessarily be independent. Mill also shared his philosophy on women’s rights with Harriet Taylor. Harriet was married but she and John still shared a close relationship, that did become a social scandal at the time. When Harriet’s husband died, she and John wed in 1849. Mill who typically favored the secret ballot in elections, changed his politically viewpoint because of his wife’s strong belief in public voting for peoples fear of shamefulness. Mill became a strong believer in proportional representation based on reading a book of Thomas Hare’s on democracy. Over the next 15 years, after his wife Harriet died, he worked closely with his stepdaughter Helen, who cared for him as well as became his secretary. He wrote many books during this time, as well as continued...
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...wants to be. What level of virtuous person they are inclined to be. The most commonly applicable theory used for Divergent is the utilitarian theory. The utilitarian theory word is a scientize way of thinking through ethical dilemmas. The theory focuses on the greater good, relating to the cost benefit and gathering sentiments to measure the importance of something. The Divergent focuses on the greater good of everyone in the faction system. Divergent, while not one of a kind, is a story that can be recognized for it’s attention grabbing story line and many ethical dilemmas. Because the focus on Tris is problematic from the start, the readers are immediately looking forward to her overcoming the hardships that are presented to her. Utilitarism is the best ethical theory to explain Tris’s situation with Will because it introduces a new way of thinking, that not everything has to be black and white. Here the readers are presented with the idea that their actions can be justified in the right situation and while not everyone will be as accepting to the consequences, to save the world is to throw away ones own life. Tris was in the beginning thought of as self destructive, looking for an out, a way to cope with her world falling around her but in the end she proved to be strong and willing to save. ...
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...Introduction: Now a days Tobaco industy is one of the profitable area of business. Tobacco companies are well informed of the “killing effect” of their product. It is natural that to tobacco corporations production reduction, and also loss in the financial plan because of decrease in consumer activity is absolutely not profitable, thats why they have to orient on a new target- kids. Worldwide people die from the harm of smoking while tobacco product manufacturers continue to spend billions of dollars annually to maintain brand loyalty among current smokers, to influence young people to use tobacco, and to keep smokers addicted. The tobacco industry claims that it does not market to children and that the purpose of its advertising is only to encourage adult smokers to switch brands.( Eriksen, M., 2011) Form the given case sturdy it can be seen that there are GB Tobacco Company exist, which try to push its “Gold” brand in to Malu’s market despite the moral, legal and ethical standards The seven – step procedure: • The facts: The facts are that Fiona Fuller, International Tobacco product Manager for GB Tobacco, has to produce a new firm’s growth strategy for the next ten years. The “Gold” brand faced with the decline of sales volumes in Western Europe and the US. GBT’s plans have run up against the Malu government policy according to which any import of cigarette products are forbidden. The main parties that get benefits are government, which owned cigarette monopoly...
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...BUSINESS PROFFESIONALETHICS COMM 332 Individual Assignment Discuss in your paper the three companies you researched and describe briefly their ethical dilemmas. Then compare the issues that they faced using the discussions, theories and relative case studies from the course. Discuss in your opinion how they could have avoided their ethical dilemma. Illiès Boussaha Student number: 230106913 Due Date: November 7, 2012 Word count: 2057 Maple Leaf Food is a Canadian food processing company that is located in Canada, the U.S, U.K and Asia. Its 100 facilities operates in the food and beverage sector, hiring 23.500 employees around the globe, of whom 1.100 temporary foreign workers. The company was created in 1963 and was originally named Canada Bread Company, Limited. It was, and still is the largest food processor of the country. A few years later, McCain Capital Corporation and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board acquired most of the shares. They are still the main shareholders today. Moreover, the company acquired Olivieri™ Fresh Pasta and Sauces in 1988 and merged with Canada Packers Inc. In 1991. The company bought Canada's largest rendering company, Rothsay, the services provided by Rothsay are linked to environmental sustainability (collecting, processing and recycling animal products). Therefore, Maple Leaf Food seems to be environmentally friendly and thus has accomplished...
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...Google in China’s World Lauri Mak Ottawa University October 19, 2012 Abstract This paper will discuss Google, one of the largest internet search engines decision to enter the China internet market and the deviation against their very own corporate ethics policies. It will identify the key stakeholders involved and will look at the primary non-marketing issues and analysis each issue. Introduction In 1996 Larry Page and Sergey Brin began developing a search engine called BackRub while enrolled at Stanford University. In 1998 the company was renamed Google Incorporated and launched their search engine from a garage in Santa Margarita California. First held as a private company, they went public in August of 2004. Google grew extremely quickly by taking their single language website and adding different products including but not limited to the development of various forms of advertising and web applications from a variety of different tasks as found on the company website http://Google.com. Google.com quickly grew to be the most popular search engine in the world. “Their technology used an algorithm to find possible Web pages with search criteria provided by the user. Google’s PageRanktm technology measures the importance of different Web pages by solving an equation with more than 500 million variables and 2 billion terms.” (Martin, 2011) Google’s decision to enter the Chinese market was based on greed and increased market share rather than their company’s highly publicized...
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...Name Professor Course Date Why does Mills think that Utilitarianism provides the foundation for Justice and why does Rawls reject it? Introduction The concept of utilitarianism is one that has engulfed the philosophical arena with an obscene number of arguments that support and/or criticize it. Generally, utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics that defines an action as one that ensures maximum utility. Other schools of thought would like to put it as the concept of “maximizing happiness while reducing suffering” (Mills 3).In as much as utilitarianism has continued to receive applause from people and the political scene, other divergent scholars has come up with other theories that seek to compromise the philosophies under which the concept of utilitarianism operates. As a result, utilitarianism has become subject to contradictions from other theories in the field of ethics. The thinking class in other fields of utilitarianism characterizes in as a quantitative yet reductionist approach to ethics (Mills 3). Over time, the concept of utilitarianism has received ideological threats from; deontological ethics which does not assign moral worth to an action based on its consequences, virtue ethics that solely deals with action and habits that results to happiness, pragmatic ethics and other forms of ethics that backs the idea of consequentialism. In a nut shell, the concept of utilitarianism as defined by political philosophers and in relation to justice is becoming...
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...COMMUNICATION MASTER IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES MSC 1 TAKE HOME EXAMINATION TITLED (ETHICAL THEORY CRITICISM) COURSE MAC 851 APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF MASS COMMUNICATION LECTURER MR. JIMMY KAYODE WRITTEN BY AKIYODE ESTHER OLADUNNI MATRIC NO 01/09/AV/4018 TABLE OF CONTENT INTRODUCTION DEFINITION ETHICAL PRINCIPLES • BENEFICENCE • LEAST HARM • RESPECT FOR AUTONOMY • JUSTICE ETHICAL THEORIES • DEONTOLOGY • UTILITARIASM • RIGHTS • CASUIST • VIRTUE VIEW OR NOTABLE SCHOLARS • PLATO ABSOLUTION • ARISOTLE: EUDEMONISM • ST. THOMAS AQUINESS – NATURAL LAW • IMMANUEL KANT: DEONTOLOGY • JOHN STUART MILL – UTILITARISM • JOHN RAWLS – CONGRATURIANISM • TOM REGAN: RIGHTS THEORY (BONUS THEORY ) • TENTATIVE COMPARISON (TABLE & GRAPH) • CRITICISM AGAINST DEONTOLOGY: “ “ UTILITARIANISM “ “ RIGHTS “ “ CASUIST “ “ VIRTUE • CONCLUSION • REFERENCES CRITICISMS OF ETHICAL THEORIES INTRODUCTION The art of critiquing is basically to appraise a work i.e articles, write-ups, novels etc. Critiquing does not aim to condemn or castigate a paper but to seek the flaws, identify the various meanings, put up better explanations on the subject, seek the weaknesses and strengths and give opinions to enhance the quality of the discourse. The topic of this discourse is ETHICAL...
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...and ideology belonging to liberalism in which primary emphasis is placed on securing the freedom of the individual by limiting the power of the government. The philosophy emerged as a response to the Industrial Revolution and urbanization in the 19th century in Europe and the United States. It advocates civil liberties with a limited government under the rule of law, private property and belief in the laissez-faire economic policy. Classical liberalism is built on ideas that had already arisen by the end of the 18th century, such as selected ideas of Adam Smith, John Locke, Jean Baptiste Say, Thomas Malthus and David Ricardo. It drew on a psychological understanding of individual liberty, the contradictory theories of natural law and utilitarism, and a belief in progress. Core beliefs of classical liberals included new ideas - which departed from both the older...
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