Utilitarian Philosophy
A Utilitarian Philosophy is a consequentialist moral philosophy that tries to maximize well being, typically human well being.
- Example(s):
- Counter-Example(s):
- See: Existentialism, Hedonism, Nihilism.
References
2013
- (Wikipedia, 2013) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism
- Utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering. Classic utilitarianism's two most influential contributors are Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. John Stuart Mill in his book Utilitarianism, stated, "In the golden rule of Jesus of Nazareth, we read the complete spirit of the ethics of utility. To do as one would be done by, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, constitute the ideal perfection of utilitarian morality." According to Bentham and Mill, Utilitarianism is hedonistic only when the result of an action has no decidedly negative impact on others.[1] It is now generally taken to be a form of consequentialism, although when Anscombe first introduced that term it was to distinguish between "old-fashioned Utilitarianism" and consequentialism.[2]
In utilitarianism, the moral worth of an action is determined only by its resulting outcome, although there is debate over how much consideration should be given to actual consequences, foreseen consequences and intended consequences. In A Fragment on Government, Bentham says, "it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong"[3] and describes this as a fundamental axiom. In An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, he talks of "the principle of utility" but later prefers "the greatest happiness principle."[4][5]
Utilitarianism can be characterized as a quantitative and reductionist approach to ethics. It is a type of naturalism.[6] It can be contrasted with deontological ethics,[7] which does not regard the consequences of an act as a determinant of its moral worth; virtue ethics,[8] which primarily focuses on acts and habits leading to happiness; pragmatic ethics; as well as with ethical egoism and other varieties of consequentialism.[9]
Utilitarianism is influential in political philosophy. Bentham and Mill believed that a utilitarian government was achievable through democracy. Mill thought that despotism was also justifiable through utilitarianism as a transitional phase towards more democratic forms of governance. As an advocate of liberalism, Mill stressed the relationship between utilitarianism and individualism.[10]
- Utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering. Classic utilitarianism's two most influential contributors are Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. John Stuart Mill in his book Utilitarianism, stated, "In the golden rule of Jesus of Nazareth, we read the complete spirit of the ethics of utility. To do as one would be done by, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, constitute the ideal perfection of utilitarian morality." According to Bentham and Mill, Utilitarianism is hedonistic only when the result of an action has no decidedly negative impact on others.[1] It is now generally taken to be a form of consequentialism, although when Anscombe first introduced that term it was to distinguish between "old-fashioned Utilitarianism" and consequentialism.[2]
- ↑ Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter, "Consequentialism", Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2012 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
- ↑ Anscombe, G. E. M., ‘Modern Moral Philosophy’ in Philosophy, Vol. 33, No. 124. (Jan., 1958), pp. 12
- ↑ Bentham, Jeremy (1776). "A Fragment on Government". http://www.constitution.org/jb/frag_gov.htm. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ↑ Jeremy Bentham (2001). "The Works of Jeremy Bentham: Published under the Superintendence of His Executor, John Bowring. Volume 1". In: Adamant Media Corporation. ISBN: 1402163932, 978-1402163937
- ↑ Mill, John Stuart, Utilitarianism (Project Gutenberg online edition)
- ↑ C. L. Sheng, and Qinglai Sheng (2011). "A defense of utilitarianism". In: University Press of America, ISBN: 978-0-7618-2731-3
- ↑ Dean Bredeson (2011). "Chapter7: Utilitarianism vgs. Dentological Ethics" In: "Applied Business Ethics: A Skills-Based Approach". In: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-0-538-45398-1.
- ↑ Michael Slote (1995). "The Main Issue between Unitarianism and Virtue Ethics". In: "From Morality to Virtue". Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0-19-509392-6
- ↑ Eldon Soifer (2009). "Ethical Issues: Perspectives for Canadians". In:=Broadview Press. ISBN: 978-1-55111-874-1
- ↑ Fred Wilson. [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mill/ "John Stuart Mill". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.