Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Utilitarianism
In the opening remarks to Utilitarianism, Mill sets the stage for this discussion. He accepts that the idea of utilitarianism dates back two thousand years, and is part of a philosophical discourse that has never been resolved. He then explains the prevailing thought that moral laws are considered universal, deriving from the same source. Their evidence is a priori in that they are simply assumed to be correct. These laws, however, lack a fundamental rule, something that is the root of morality, that should be self-evident. Mill is staking out a position that there is no such fundamental rule, and that this is a defect.
Mill then argues that utility, as described by Bentham, is where happiness derives from, and that this ultimately influences decision-making and morality even among those who reject the idea and attempt to...
Mill does not explicitly say in his preamble that the other standards are rooted in religion, but this is his underlying message, especially when he charges that there is no definable, underlying law on which morality can be based. He stakes out a position directly opposite Kant, a framing that we still use today, and notes that Kant "fails, almost grotesquely, to show that there would be any contradiction, any logical impossibility, in the adoption by all rational beings the most outrageously immoral rule of conduct."
The final section of the opening remarks points out some of the difficulties even in utilitarianism, for example the idea that something is "good" can be difficult if not impossible to prove, noting examples of one's healthy, or music. In this way, Mill sets the stage for…
In this case, Mary would have acted precisely as she did, that is, pursuing her personal happiness and acting according to a pattern she had established before, that of being virtuous and always acting morally. In this case, the decision is plain and easy to take: Mary has to be virtuous so as to satisfy her own moral demands and ensure her emotional and spiritual comfort. Thus, she acts
not committed a crime-- an innocent person. Similarly, it might happen. that the general welfare is promoted by punishing people excessively -- a greater punishment might have a greater deterrent effect. But both of these are, on their face,.violations of justice, which Retributivism would never allow." (Rachels, 135) The danger presented here is one which threatens under any condition of ethical diversion. In the case of lying, there is an
What Utilitarian Is? Actions vary from one place to another and from one social setting to another. Nonetheless, the innate and good action or practice is the one that takes the best of utility. The well-being of the involved beings should be considered with utmost respect although the result must be maximized approximately. The process and the results are of immense important when it comes to utilitarianism. Based on the act
Powell points to the fact that "in Georgia, for example, the time between the date of the murder and the murderer's execution (if it occurs) averages close to I0 years 25 Although the average lapsed time in Georgia may be the highest, the same situation generally prevails in a number of other states. No one would suggest that this is satisfactory." (Powell, 1038) Indeed, according to Calvert (1993) it demonstrates
Further, the physical well-being of everyone should be respected and there should be a guarantee that a "minimum level of material well-being, including basic [human needs], must be met by society, Peffer posits, explaining his view of Rawlsianism. The functions of a human being are important to respect, and basic liberties including: freedom of speech, assembly, thought, movement and other rights should be respected, Peffer continues. Moreover, freedom from arbitrary
Transportation Students who are bussed to a larger school can use the time to be productive; reading, homework, etc. 1.5-2 hours per day of commuting is unacceptable for students and will eat into their family and work time. Opportunities A larger school will provide greater opportunity for social networks, sports, music, drama, and more extracurricular activities. Loss of community will make the younger students uncomfortable as well. Academics A larger school will provide greater academic opportunities for