Outline the Important Features of Utilitarianism Essay Example for Free

Outline the Important Features of Utilitarianism EssayThe word Utilitarianism comes from the Latin word utilitis meaning useful. This traditional ethical theory caulescent from the late 18th and 19th centuries. The Principle of Utility is a teological theory popularised by the late British philosopher, Jeremy Bentham. Its basic meaning suggests its the total consequences of an activeness which determine how morally remediate or wrong an carry out is. If the amount of happiness produced in an act overrides the unhappiness produced by an action, the action is determined right. An specimen of this would be an abortion.Jeremy Bentham was a man of extraordinary intellectual gifts at the age three he began to study Latin and at the age of sixteen he took his degree at Oxford University. He introduced Act Utilitarianism every act is evaluated on whether it does or does not produce happiness/ pleasure. The greatest happiness for the greatest estimate. This insinuates that the amou nt of people made happy through an act is to a greater extent important than the quality of their happiness, regardless of the consequences. However, there could be problems with this theory as Phillip Pettit indicated in the quote so vast as they promised the best consequences it would forbid absolutely nothing not rape, not torture, not even murder. Indicating that Act Utilitarianism could be an salvage to commit dreadful crimes such as murder it may create happiness for the person that committed the murder. It is also punishing to measure the quantity of pleasure or pain in an action. Yet, this theory is still a vital feature of Utilitarianism because it encourages people to think about the consequences of their actions before they perform the act.See more essay apa formatConsequently, Bentham introduced the Hedonic Calculus. The Hedonic Calculus proposes the idea that human pleasures and pains are measurable and that actions can be judged on whether they are considered right or wrong. There are seven factors that are considered when making this decision its intensity (how pleasurable or painful the action is) the duration (how long the pleasure or pain will last) certainty (how sure of the pleasure of pain you are) propinquity/ remoteness (how near the pleasure or pain is) fertility rate (the chance of beingfollowed by similar sensations) purity (the chance of it not being followed by sensations of the opposite kind) and extent (the number of individuals affected by it). Nevertheless, whoremaster Stuart zep stated that (happiness is) much too complex and indefinite (to be the measure of the moral worth of an action). Connoting, the amount of happiness/pleasure in an action is an individual process. Its subjective not objective. However the Hedonic Calculus is no doubt an essential feature of Utilitarianism as it is important to consider what makes an action morally right or wrong.Furthermore, Benthams disciple and friend, John Stuart Mill introduced Rule Utilitarianism. Rule Utilitarianism measures the consequences of the act repeated over and over again through time, to be followed as a rule whenever certain circumstances arise. It is assesses how morally right or wrong an act is. Mill stressed the importance of The superior happiness for the greatest principle and the significance of quality over quantity. Implying the extent of the happiness is more important than how many people the happiness affects.He argued that it is the progress of pleasures and the prevention of pain that determine our moral decisions. However what Mill failed to recognise was that it goes against human rights. So crimes as awful as murder may be considered acceptable in some cases. It could also be argued that Rule Utilitarianism ignores the consequences of the act. Rule Utilitarianism is still a very important theory as it aims to provide the virtually happiness/ pleasure for people as possible. Leading on, Mill introduced the idea of higher and lower pleasures.Namely those of the mind (intellectual pleasures such as learning a language) are higher pleasures. Whilst body pleasures such as eating are lower pleasures. The higher pleasures are considered more prime and important than lower pleasures. Mill declared it is better to be a human dissatisfied than a pig satisfied. Implying humans are capable of experiencing much higher pleasures than animals. Mill on Liberty stated the only part of conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others.Suggesting that individuals should care and be concerned by how others think and feel. Conversely, the problem with this theory is that it is intemperate to measure the amount of pleasure someone feels. In conclusion, although Utilitarianism is very useful when evaluating the consequences of an action, this theory does not consider the moral righteousness of an action. It is also very difficult to measure the amount of pleasure produced from action. T he amount of pleasure can also differ depending on the individual.