Mercyhurst University Admission SAT Scores, Admit Rate

A Case Or Thought Experiment Where Act Utilitarianism Essay

Consider a case or thought experiment where act utilitarianism seems to give the wrong answer. How do you think the act utilitarian should deal with this case? Act utilitarianism is a form of utilitarianism that is derived from the greatest happiness principle of utilitarianism, which is defines as â€Å"actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness† (cite, got from lecture slides). Happiness and reverse happiness in this definition stand for pleasure and pain. Act utilitarianism measures the net pleasure of an action. If this net pleasure is positive, the action is morally right, but if this net pleasure is negative, the action is morally wrong. In most situations, act utilitarianism is morally correct, but that is not always the case. In this paper, I will explain how political power can be manipulated through the majority and minorities of a country’s population and how that can lead to the oppression of minorities, but also be morally right under act utilitarianism. â€Å"As mentioned above, act utilitarianism uses pleasure minus pain to determine the amount of pleasure that will come from a certain action. If an action creates more pleasure than pain, then that action is considered to promote happiness† (Mill pg.). Act utilitarianism comes from the philosopher, John Stuart Mill. This theory of act utilitarianism derives from the greatest happiness principle. Actions that promote happiness is anotherShow MoreRelatedA Defense Of Abortion By Judith Thomson1678 Words   |  7 Pageslife of an unborn fetus has priority, and thus abortion is morally impermissible as it violates the fetus’ right to life. In her article â€Å"A Defense of Abortion†, Judith Thomson argues that abortion is morally permissible under the certain conditions where the rights of the fetus fail to surpass a mother’s right of choice. For the sake of her argument, Thomson allows the assumption that a fetus is a person, and instead attacks the premise that the fetus’ right to life is stronger than that of a mother’sRead MoreEthical Theories And Principles Of The Ethics1576 Words   |  7 Pagesmatter; this is because according to deontologists one is right in acting a certain way only if one acts for the right reason. To dive deeper into deontological ethics one must discuss Immanuel Kant for he is the philosopher who represents the enlightenment and deontology. According to Kant, one must figure out what the right thing to do by â€Å"identifying the requirements of the universal moral code† and act â€Å"on that basis, rather than because it happens to be in one’s interest or one happens to feel likeRead MoreUtilitarianism : An Ethical Theory Essay1731 Words   |  7 PagesUtilitarianism Utilitarianism is one of the most powerful and persuasive approaches to normative ethics in the history of philosophy. Even though It was not fully articulated until the 19th century, proto-Utilitarian positions can be recognized and discerned throughout the history of ethical theory. (Driver, Julia. â€Å"The History of Utilitarianism.† Stanford University. Stanford University, 2009. Web. 01 Oct. 2016). Utilitarianism is an Ethical Theory that was a result of combining aspects of ConsequentialismRead MoreMaking Decisions about Ethical Matters1742 Words   |  7 Pagesa complicated and well thought-out process. To make things smoother and of a more efficient manner, there have been various systems put in place to provide rules and guidelines as to how to ensure that what is decided is morally right. Here, we will take a look at the view of utilitarianism, and discuss an important flaw it presents us with. Many articles include discussions that look at this in great depth, where it appears the once highly renowned system of utilitarianism has revealed to us variousRead MoreEssay about The Ethics of Torture1633 Words   |  7 Pages In the United States legal system, torture is currently defined as â€Å"an act committed by a person acting under the color of law specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering (other than pain or suffering incidental to lawful sanctions) upon another person within his custody or physical control.† as defined by Office of the Law Revision Counsel, U.S. House of Representatives (US Code, 1) Though this is a seemingly black and white definition, the conditional â€Å"†¦otherRead MoreThe Trolley Case : An Ethical Thought Experiment1057 Words   |  5 PagesConsequentialism The Trolley Case is an ethical thought experiment that seeks to find the â€Å"right† solution in killing people. This thought experiment explains that there is a train coming down the tracks on course to run right into five people. You stand next to a lever which can switch the tracks so that only one person will die. The only options you have are to do nothing and allow five people to die, or pull the lever so that only one person will die. In Trolley Case 2, you can save five peopleRead MoreCorporate Social Responsibility And Corporate Ethics1468 Words   |  6 Pagesof a company and social environment of a company (Fischer, 2004). LO1 Analyse concepts and theories of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and business ethics When discussing ethical theories, there is a mutual recognition of two main schools of thought. The deontological sight is that the correct action is one which is naturally right, and focuses on the choice about the decision making capacity to achieve the duty and responsibilities to the parties involved. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), a GermanRead MoreThe Debate Between Pro Life And Pro Choice868 Words   |  4 Pagesmedia and the morality of abortion scrutinized under the eye of third wave feminism, which has reclaimed the 1970’s slogan of ‘The Right to Choose’. The following essay intends to discuss how abortion is always an option and never a morally wrong act, as it is the mother’s choice to do with her body what she wishes and such the fetus has no right to leech off the mother when the host is not willing. In this discussion one shall, as Thomson did in ‘A Defence of Abortion’(1971), accept the stanceRead MoreEthics and Moral Theory3716 Wo rds   |  15 Pagesphilosophical study of Morality. What, then, is a moral theory? A theory is a structured set of statements used to explain (or predict) a set of facts or concepts.à  A moral theory, then, explains why a certain action is wrong -- or why we ought to act in certain ways.à Ãƒ  In short, it is a theory of how we determine right and wrong conduct.à  Also, moral theories provide the framework upon which we think and discuss in a reasoned way, and so evaluate, specific moral issues. Seen in this light, it becomesRead More The Harm Principle in the 21st Century Essay3465 Words   |  14 Pagesof which I speak is opportunity for action, rather than action itself. If, although I enjoy the right to walk through open doors, I prefer not to do so, but sit still and vegetate, I am not thereby rendered less free. Freedom is the opportunity to act, not action itself. (Berlin (1969), p.xlii). Some significant criticisms of, Mills Harm Principle have been expressed over the years. I intend to consider the three leading arguments, 1. VAGUENESS. In other words what exactly does Mill mean

Teacher and National Junior Honor Free Essays

I’m excited to be invited to be a member of National Junior Honor Society (NUNS). And it is a great opportunity for me. As a pre-member of NUNS, I have demonstrated three qualities, which are willingness to serve others, leadership, and character. We will write a custom essay sample on Teacher and National Junior Honor or any similar topic only for you Order Now These three qualities describe the very essence of my being. I’m from Burma which now they call Manner. And went to Malaysia to come to United States because Burma is in war. Live at Malaysia for about 4 years. Learned lots of English at Malaysia. After staying at Malaysia for about 4 years, I came to U. S. I’ve been at United States for 7 months. First thing that would like to talk is willingness to serve others. Like to help others; help my mom around the house all the times and because she don’t know much English I translate for her. And at school help my friends those who need help; I help them with what I know. Next, I demonstrated leadership. At school when the teachers group she/he always choose me as a roof leader because he/she think I will be a good leader, and to experience leadership. I help my group member when they don’t know, tell them what to do, make sure the work is done, to participate, and tell them to respect teacher like to keep quiet and follow teacher’s instruction. Last, want to talk about is character. Respect my teacher because they are the one that teach me, and my parents because they raise me until now. When they ask me to do something, do it. They have taught me to be inerrable. How to cite Teacher and National Junior Honor, Papers