The Theory Of Moral Theory - 1403 Words

In the domain of moral theory there are many approaches to see what a moral action is. The aim of this paper is to evaluate a moral theory known as Utilitarianism. The idea of Utilitarianism is summed up in â€Å"The Principle of Utility† or better known as â€Å"The Greatest Happiness Principle† (Bentham 6). The principle proposes the idea that an action is right if it maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain to the greatest number of people. Numbers do not dictate the ethics or morality of an action. However, is there a way in which this theory could be utilized in minor situations? The purpose of this paper is to explain Bentham’s moral theory as well as to demonstrate why the theory is impossible to calculate. This essay will also discuss arguments for and against Bentham’s theory in order to demonstrate that it is not applicable to large-scale scenarios due to the complexity of the theory. The idea of â€Å"The Greatest Happiness Principle† was first developed by Jeremy Bentham. The principle is focused on the concept of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain for the greatest number of people. He intends to determine whether an action is morally right or wrong through the use of hedonic calculus. Before going forward, it is essential to differentiate the concepts that Bentham mentions: consequences, calculus, and hedonism. Starting off with consequences it is relatively straight-forward. Bentham’s utilitarianism focuses more heavily on the effects rather than the process. The calculusShow MoreRelatedEthical, Moral And Moral Theory942 Words   |  4 Pagesreferred to by the title of our text helps to examine the various aspects of our own ethical moral theory. Ethical moral theory dominates our lives on a daily basis. Determining actions we consider being right or wrong depending on the availability of the situation. But, as situations vary, so does the reasoning behind activities. Although each individual has his/her own mindset and beliefs, the ethical moral standards which create the baseline of our own morality, differs with our individual teachingsRead MoreThe Moral Problem Of A Moral Theory1450 Words   |  6 PagesSome people think that one aim of a moral theory is to give one a â€Å"decision procedure† to use when faced with moral problems. Decision procedures are defined as procedures that are similar to an algorithm for determining a finite number of specific steps that validate a particular proposition or argument. Well known examples of a decision procedure is the popular Venn-diagrams for aid in determining an interpretation of categorical knowledge and truth tables which are used in calculus problems. ButRead MoreEthics, Moral, And Moral Theory927 Words   |  4 Pagesis the aim of moral (ethical) theory that you learned from the reading? Elaborate on this by explaining how you think that having a clearer un derstanding of ethics can affect your life. The purpose and aim for moral theory has to do with the desire to have some method to follow when we reason about what is morally right and wrong. In other words, the main aim of moral theory is to discover a decision procedure that can be used to guide correct moral reasoning about matters of moral concern (3 Timmons)Read MoreKant s Theory Of Moral Theory1466 Words   |  6 Pagesargued over which moral theory is most coherent. Yet, in Mill s critique of Kant, Mill sidesteps this issue, not by directly critiquing Kant s moral theory, but rather by asserting that Kant s moral theory is actually just a form of utilitarianism. Essentially, Kant s universal law test is nothing more than a veiled appeal to consequences, as Mill correctly claims in his critique of Kant. After evaluating what it means to have goodwill in his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant finds thatRead MoreThe Moral Theory Of Deontology828 Words   |  4 Pagesbelieve that the moral theory of Deontology, which is also called non-consequentialism, incorrectly answers the question â€Å"What is right?† The reason being that Deontology answers this question base on each individual experience and belief, which most likely will always be different from person to person. In my stance I will first explain the moral theory of Deontology, secondly I will point out how Deontology answers the question â€Å"What is right?†, and lastly analyze why the moral theory of DeontologyRead MoreEthical Theories And Deontological Moral Theories2001 Words   |  9 PagesRichard Greene Term Paper In this paper I will address the questions of what are consequentialist moral theories and deontological moral theories. I will also gear my attention to the best known theorist for both respected parties. After doing that, I will show the key difference in consequentialist and deontological overall theories. Furthermore, I will also give my opinion on which theorist and theory I feel most compelled to side with. I will first introduce you to the idea of normative ethicsRead MoreUtilitarianism : The Moral Theory977 Words   |  4 PagesUtilitarianism is the moral theory that emphasizes â€Å"the greatest happiness for the greatest number† (Clark, Poortenga, 2003). John Stuart Mill was a philosopher who believed in the principles of utilitarianism. He believed that humans desire for happiness and pleasure; therefore humans would be motivated to act morally in order to obtain that happiness (Clark, Poortenga, 2003). Mill’s approach has strengths, weaknesses, and is not fully equipped to hold true for all circumstances. Mill’s approachRead MoreThe Moral Theory Of Utilitarianism1725 Words   |  7 PagesNumerous moral theories have surfaced in the past years. They have been widely debated by philosophers and social reformers. It is important to understand what these theories are because of their influential tendencies in the way people act, especially in making morally right or wrong decisions. Utilitarianism is one of these many moral theories. Upon further analysis, problems with utilitarian thoughts are revealed. It has been widely debated by many philosophers, including G.E. Moore and ImmanuelRead MoreMorality And The Moral Theories1137 Words   |  5 Pagesaction itself. This is phrase that can be viewed different by proponent of different moral theories. A consequentialist theorist will agree with this phrase. For example, if one tells a lie to save the other person from grief, the action of telling the eye is viewed as good. Another example is whereby a person kills the other in orde r to save the others. The two actions though they may be viewed as going against the moral values in the society will be viewed as right because they lead to positive resultsRead MoreReconciling Moral Theories889 Words   |  4 PagesReconciling moral theories and determining the compatibility of their particulars can be a daunting task. Determining the compatibility of John Stuart Mill’s modern moral theory of utilitarianism with Aristotle’s pre-modern moral philosophy will involve an in-depth exploration for each moral philosophy, comparing and contrasting the smallest details of each. To start, an understanding of Aristotelian moral philosophy is fundamental. Aristotle basesd his theory on the concepts of â€Å"virtue,† coming