The Principles Of Utilitarianism As An Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism can be described as a branch of the consequentialism theory that focuses on the greater good of actions and the happiness of the majority within the society. Utilitarianism is used to define the extent to which something is right or wrong in the society in relation to the principle of utility. The principles of utilitarianism states that it is more useful to cause pleasure to the majority of people than pain (Ciocchetti 45). Utilitarianism is more concerned with the outcomes or rather the consequences of an action. The theory of utilitarianism was established by Bentham and later developed by Mill. The two philosophers formed the two forms of utilitarianism, which are the act and rule utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that guides the daily lives of people, has its strengths and weakness per the proponents and opponents. This research will focus on the evaluation of the principles of the two forms of utilitarianism in the society.

Utilitarianism as an ethical theory that is considered to be efficient in the daily lives of human beings is simple (Ciocchetti 54). The theory lacks complexity as an individual is given a chance to decide their actions regarding the gravity that their actions may cause on the other people. Utilitarianism can be equated to the religious teachings in the bible, which articulate unconditional love to those around us. Utilitarianism is a theory that requires people to live in peace and harmony without causing harm to others in the society. The main idea of utilitarianism is to ensure that the majority of the people in society are happy. Actions of individuals who act following the theory are meant to promote happiness that should outgrow the level of sadness within the community. The fact that utilitarianism is a simple theory whose main aim is to promote happiness to the people is among the strengths of the theory since the majority of the people are likely to implement it.

The principles of utilitarianism as an ethical theory is well known to take count of or be, mindful of the future. For instance, the theory takes into consideration the issues of climate change, the potential wars that could happen in the future as well as the possibility of famine in the future. Utilitarianism is a theory that outlines the moral obligations of human beings concerning future generations (Felzmann 30). According to the utilitarian’s, human beings in the present generation should live a life that is meant to impact future generations positively, even without the identification of future generations. This is because utilitarianism promotes the greater good to the community. Therefore, it means that the actions of the present generations should be sure to encourage happiness even for future generations. The theory gives human beings an obligation to ensure that they leave this world the right place for the upcoming generations.

According to Bentham, utilitarianism is a theory that ensures that the idea of equity and equality is central. Utilitarianism, as an ethical theory, argues that every individual is to count as one, and no single individual is more than one. The radical idea of utilitarianism implies that each and every individual has the same weight when it comes to the calculation of utility. In as much as the idea of the centralization of equity becomes a problem when it comes to the observation of human rights. For instance, in a case where an equal vote may be required in order to effect the elimination of one’s life by death so as to make the majority of the people happy, it means that the right of an individual to live well then be disregarded by the ethical and moral theory of utilitarianism (Felzmann 37). The theory emphasizes that impartiality should, at all times, be used as part of any defensible moral theory.

The principle of utilitarianism theory is crucial in the society as it promotes happiness. The ultimate goal of every human being on the face of the earth is to do something that will make them happy or to feel happiness from other people’s actions. Most of the choices made in the daily lives of human beings are channeled towards experiencing the emotions of happiness and pleasure. For instance, we choose to go to work only because, in the end, it would lead to the satisfaction of our basic needs, which in turn makes us happy (Felzmann 33). The decision to establish a long lasting relationship with our spouses is made following the fact that their presence in our lives makes us happy if not more comfortable compared to the decision of staying a lonely life. The promotion of happiness as the end results of the choices, the decisions, and the actions we take in our daily lives is the ultimate goal of utilitarianism, which makes the theory to be even more reliable and practical in the lives of human beings and in the contemporary society today (Felzmann 219). In as much as human beings may not be aware of applying the ethical theory in their day in day out lives, the principles of utilitarianism that we incorporate in every area of our lives, which makes it more powerful.

Utilitarianism is a theory that works with the intuition of human beings. The theory uses an objective process where the human beings are given a chance to choose between what is wrong and right. Choices made in life have consequences. The outcome of a given action is likely to bring either positive or negative outcomes. It is through the measure of impacts of actions that the theory of utilitarianism chooses to promote morality in the lives of human beings. By being in a position to understand and point out the actions which are likely to cause happiness in our lives, every individual can, therefore, work independently on determining what is good or bad on a personal level (Felzmann 98). A collective bargain on what should be termed as right or wrong within the society is what results in the creation of the natural intuition of human beings. For example, in as much as the idea of utilitarianism may be hard to promote humanity, the human beings have intuitions that advocate for causing happiness rather than harm to the people across the globe. Rational human beings do not go around, causing physical harm to them because it is not the right thing to do, and neither is it in the natural intuition of humanity.

Among other strengths of utilitarianism as an ethical theory that promotes morality is the fact that it works for the majority of the people (Felzmann 56). This is because utilitarianism does not require religion. The theory works well even for the individuals who are quite skeptical about the religion. It is a secular process that well incorporates the elements of religion thus making both parties happy and satisfied (Frey 67). The fact that it promotes happiness to the majority of the people does not necessarily mean that it looks forward to recruiting souls for salvation (Frey 76). The theory does not dictate the biblical concept of God but instead promotes the best in actions and choices made by the people for the people, which again makes it quite democratic in its way. The happiness advocated for by the theory of utilitarianism enables the human beings to choose what is right for their own spiritual guidance as well as the day in and day out decisions they make for themselves. The happiness of every individual member of a team ensures the satisfaction of the whole team.

In the final analysis, the principles and mode of action of the theory of utilitarianism confirms that happiness should not be the only foundation as to how choices and decisions are made but a factor among the any on the need to uphold ethical standards and morality. Even though the ethical theory of utilitarianism might have its flaws, it can still be used for the greater good of the community. The strengths of utilitarianism prevail over the weaknesses of the utilitarianism theory. This, therefore, means that the application of the theory in line with other ethical theories as well as the human rights would uphold the morals of people within the society.