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Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory of ethics which says that, in a moral dilemma, the right action is the one whose consequences are found favorable by the most people and unfavorable to the smallest number of people—an idea known as the Principle of Utility, or the Greatest Happiness Principle. This paper describes the ideals of Utilitarianism and its two forms, challenges these ideas with the thoughts of Immanuel Kant, and then allows Utilitarianism to answer these challenges. The analysis of this discussion will show that Utilitarianism is not an acceptable moral theory by which to live. ... For Bentham, the Principle of Utility involves maximizing “pleasure” and minimizing “pain” in the consequences of one’s acts; this emphasis is known as hedonistic utilitarianism. Bentham propounded act-utilitarianism, which involves calculating the consequences of each action individually to see if it is right or wrong (Bentham 1). ...
While many of Bentham’s ideas make sense, some of them need improvement in order for Utilitarianism to be more applicable to life. ... Mill developed the idea of rule-utilitarianism. ... Notwithstanding his objections to Bentham, Mill endorsed Utilitarianism as the right way to live: “No reason can be given why the general happiness is desirable, except that each person, so far as he believes it to be attainable, desires his own happiness” (Perry 499).
Approximate Word count = 1074
Approximate Pages = 4.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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