The Utilitarian Approach

University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Professor Sobel

Philosophy 106

The Utilitarian Approach

What is morally right, and what is morally wrong? Different ethical theorists have a wide variety of definitions to this question. Although it wasn't until the ethical revolution during the 18th and 19th centuries that utilitarianism took center stage defying all other theories. David Hume, Jeremy Bentham, and John Stuart set this revolution into progress stating that utilitarianism explains that morality is only correct when in pursuit of happiness, human or animal. At first this seems a little "far out," meaning if everyone did what made them happy some things we think are morally wrong would then be right. Not only does utilitarianism relate to animals and their pursuit of happiness, it also contradicts sacred religious views of morality how God decides what is morally right and wrong.

A morally divided example was given in James Rachel's book "The elements of Moral Philosophy," the story of a brother in pain with the will to die, which was carried out by his little brother. Religious morality would say that this action was morally wrong due to mere fact that