(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Utilitarianism: Principle Based and Virtue Ethics

            We are all born in this world with what can be described as an intuitive sense of what's considered 'right' and 'wrong' however philosophers have much to offer about the nature of these two divisions. There are many proposed theories that provide a basis, explanation and possible guide for our ethical reasoning. Utilitarianism and Kant's philosophy of principle, duty-based ethics and virtue ethics represent three different interpretations and theories however virtue ethics offers more as a basis for living a good ethical life. Utilitarianism, a conception of morality developed primarily by Jeremy Bentham, James Mill and his son John Stuart Mill attempts to bring back personal inclinations and interests into moral consideration. 1 It is based upon a form of hedonism, an ethical doctrine implying that the ultimate good is pleasure and what has pleasurable consequences and that the pursuit of pleasure in itself is what can be considered the 'highest good' and proper aim for human life. While traditional hedonism is concerned only with one's personal pleasure, utilitarianism is concerned with pleasure in general- both one's own pleasure and the pleasure of other people.2 The phrase "the greatest good for the greatest number" is used to summarise the utilitarian theory revolving around a desire to return morality to the search for a individually satisfying or pleasurable life while often sacrificing short term pleasures for more lasting or "greater" pleasures. Jeremy Bentham, father of the utilitarianism ethical position developed the 'principle of utility' to reinforce the central theme for utilitarianism which says that any individual should act to ultimately produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Although pleasure seeking and acting in the interests of others is a nice concept, utilitarianism has many downfalls.
            
            
            
            


Essays Related to Utilitarianism: Principle Based and Virtue Ethics

1. Logic, Ethics and Philosophy

Our treatment of ethics is divided into the following section; the nature of ethics, moral principles, relativism, ethical subjectivism, morality and religion, consequentialist ethical theories, nonconsequentialism, and value based ethics. ... Normative ethics constructs ethical theories based upon valid moral principles. ... Two consequentialist theories are important and they are ethical egoism and utilitarianism. ... Kant a German philosopher called his moral principle the categorical imperative. He expressed this principle in two di...

  • Word Count: 2506
  • Approx Pages: 10

2. Logic, Ethics and Philosophy

Our treatment of ethics is divided into the following section; the nature of ethics, moral principles, relativism, ethical subjectivism, morality and religion, consequentialist ethical theories, nonconsequentialism, and value based ethics. ... Normative ethics constructs ethical theories based upon valid moral principles. ... Two consequentialist theories are important and they are ethical egoism and utilitarianism. ... Kant a German philosopher called his moral principle the categorical imperative. He expressed this principle in two di...

  • Word Count: 2506
  • Approx Pages: 10

3. Ethical Theories of Plato, Kant, and Mill

The three philosophers, Plato, Kant, and Mill, have very contrastive theories of ethics that they follow. First, the ethical theory of Plato, which is a virtue-based eudaemonistic conception of ethics, is a very high aim of both moral thought and action. ... This goes hand in hand with his ethical theory dependent on ones virtues and morals. Second, Kant's theory of ethics is one that prohibits certain courses of action. ... Kant believed that there was an ultimate principle of morality, which was referred to as the categorical imperative. ...

  • Word Count: 897
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography

4. Utilitarianism and Nichomachean Ethics

Next, in Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, happiness takes a different idea as he explains his theory. He believes that, "happiness is a certain sort of activity of the soul in accord with virtue" (P. 12). ... Happiness is explained as the goal or end for individuals as they complete their functions with virtues. ... To illustrate, we choose happiness for its own sake, as opposed to other virtues chosen to indirectly experience happiness. ... Even though I disagree with both theories of happiness to some degrees, there is no doubt that John Stuart Mill's concept of utilitari...

  • Word Count: 1346
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. Outline the main features of Utilitarianism

"The principle of utility has probably provided the greatest impetus to modern social reforms in the UK, such as the Divorce and Abortion Acts of the 1960s. ... Bentham describes the principle of utility as being "The greatest good for the greatest number," believing this would create happiness, an intrinsic key to life. ... This concept is based on freedom of actions as Bentham rejected deontological theories such as the ethics of Immanuel Kant or traditional Christian ethics. ... He accepted the principle of promoting pleasure and preventing pain as a solid basis for morality and did not cri...

  • Word Count: 1909
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. Types of Unethical Conduct

But, doing what is right or wrong is what is referred to as Ethics. ... The students will also be denied their principle of autonomy under virtue theories which states that individuals have right to make decisions. 2. ... In fact, such is the ultimate moral principle of utilitarian ethics known as principle of utility That is, in a situation where one is to make a choice between alternative actions, he or she should do what results in the best overall consequences for everyone concerned ( David Ingram et. al, p. 10). ... In addition, a lecturer who expects others to respect him or her must al...

  • Word Count: 1332
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. The Utility Of Punishment

The divine law and virtue ethics use to be the standard of measurement, yet now the net utility of actions where weighted for their pleasures and usefulness. ... In Paley's work, utilitarianism is fused with both individualistic interests and theological moral codes, as exemplified in his understanding of virtue calling it "doing good to mankind, in obedience to the will of God, and for the sake of everlasting happiness" (Encarta). ... Mill did just that and holds the most popular reference for utilitarianism. ... Morality for Mill is based on human desires since the only real intrinsi...

  • Word Count: 3279
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Ethical Reasoning

Aristotle's virtue ethics gives a sense of excellence in fulfillment of a particular function and a sense of well being, resulting from achieving excellence in the fulfillment of one's functions. ... John Stuart Mill is known for the Utility principle and said; an act's rightness is determined by its contribution to a desirable end. ... Utilitarianism ethical philosophy is the greatest good for the greatest number. ... Looking at Aristotle's virtue ethics I love the part that say's be all you can be and you will succeed. ... Kant's ethics reminds me that indee...

  • Word Count: 1099
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Law and Ethics in Healthcare

The purpose of this essay is to critically evaluate the role of healthcare professionals in relation to decision-making process from different ethical and legal perspectives, and discuss virtue ethics theory and principles that applies in the situation of a clinical dilemma to be presented. ... According to Sole, Klein and Moseley (2013) they described consent as the principle of autonomy based on a competent adult that have right to self-determination and who can make decision about their rejection or acceptance of medical care or treatment. ... In the place of children, this principle sugges...

  • Word Count: 2744
  • Approx Pages: 11
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question