Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism

In general, the philosophical idea of utilitarianism refers to the idea that choices or decisions should be based on maximizing positive consequences, that is produce the most good for the most people given equal consideration all involved. Utilitarian theory does not focus on the well-being of an individual, but maximizes the well-being of society as a whole. This ethical philosophy best describes the morality (goodness) of actions in terms of how effectively the actions consequences maximize utility. Utility is the interests or good of all people affected by the action.

Consequentialism: There are two major views of how consequences matter, Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism. Act Utilitarianism, the original and most common position, holds that the rightness of any action depends on the consequences of that specific action. Rule Utilitarianism holds that the rightness of any action depends on whether or not that action follows a universal rule which would have good consequences if everyone followed it. Under Act Utilitarianism, the rightness of actions is evaluated on a case by case basis, and things such as rules and laws are only present if they have practical usefulness. Under Rule Utilitarianism, the utility of rules rather than actions is evaluated, and all actions should conform to the rules with the highest utility.

Jeremy Bentham's moral theory was founded on the assumption that it is the consequences of human actions that count in evaluating their merit and that the kind of consequence that matters for human happiness is just the achievement of pleasure and avoidance of pain. He argued that the hedonistic value of any human action is easily calculated by considering how intensely its pleasure is felt, how long that pleasure lasts, how certainly and how quickly it follows upon the performance of the action, and how likely it is to produce collateral benefits and avoid collateral harms. Taking such matters into account, we arrive at a net value of each action for any human being affected by it.

John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism (1861) is an extended explanation of utilitarian moral theory. In an effort to respond to criticisms of the doctrine, Mill not only argued in favor of the basic principles of Bentham but also offered several significant improvements to its structure, meaning, and application. Although the progress of moral philosophy has been limited by its endless disputes over the reality and nature of the highest good, Mill assumed from the outset, everyone can agree that the consequences of human actions contribute importantly to their moral value.

Mill fully accepted Bentham's devotion to greatest happiness principle as the basic statement of utilitarian value:

" . . . actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure."

Rachels (2002) presents three propositions of utilitarianism that have come under fire by opponents of this moral philosophy.