The theory of utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The surmisal of utilitarianism - Essay ExampleUtilitarianism theory is referred to by almost as the consequentialist ethical theory. It is expressed in the regulate that asserts that wad should always act so as to produce the greatest ratio of good to satanic for everyone. This has great appeal in the area of welfare economics and does not differ dramatic whollyy from the philosophies and beliefs of Keynes, Pareto, and Pigou some might even include Marx in this category. The utilitarians believe that when choosing between two actions, the one that produces the greatest concluding happiness should be the one chosen. Where most of them disagree with one another is in the area of how this commandment should be applied. There are also several stated weaknesses in this concept. It ignores actions that appear to be falsely in themselves it espouses the concept that the end justifies the means the principles may come into conflict with that of justice and it is extremely sticky to formulate and establish satisfactory rules of application.Utilitarianism manifests itself in two major forms. The stronger of the two is so-called act-utilitarianism. Under this system, the moralistic agent considers the consequences of only the action under consideration. The second system is called rule-utilitarianism. Here the moral agent considers a set of rules by which life should be lived. The basis of accepting or rejecting a rule is whether the consequences of everyone pursuance the rule will result in the maximum presumable good consequences. Rule-utilitarianism may be regarded as a weaker form of utilitarianism than act-utilitarianism.... Most professionals are already familiar with a system that acts very a great deal like utilitarianism cost/benefit analysis. In the cost/benefit system the manager attempts to repose the probable costs of taking a particular course of action with the probable benefits to be derived. Most people realize that cost/benefit analysis bec omes more and more sticky as the analysis moves remote from measurability in terms of dollars. Measurement of benefits has been particularly problematic. Writers on this subject have attempted to balance the costs of companies reporting on their adherence to social responsibility with the costs of not doing so. Bentham was classified in England as utilitarian with the application of hedonism on the social level that is, happiness is the end of all benignant existence. He based his social reform on what he considered right and wrong, which in turn was genuine from his definition of utility (Rosen 19). Utility was measured on a pain-happiness relationship, which was reduced to a common denominator money. This decrement to the common factor of money was necessary because different people have different utility for the comparable item. Although his ideas were considered controversial at the time, they were later accepted by many, as can be seen in a recent study conducted by the Am erican Council on Education of more than 200,000 students. The survey showed that more than one-third quarters of college freshmen now think that getting rich is what will make them happy and what life is all about. Twenty years ago, only 39 percent indicated that affluence was an essential goal at that time, a meaningful philosophy of life was what mattered -- a goal that now motivates only a minority of students (Rosen 21). Critics of utilitarianism