Utilitarianism Essays Utilitarianism And Integrity

Utilitarianism is a practical doctrine that is widely accepted in modern society’s economics, politic, and ethics. Utilitarian is driven by the pursuit of happiness. For a utilitarian, everything that will be helpful in the pursuit is considered good. In utilitarianism, an action is good or evil based on its consequences on the happiness of an individual and the happiness of the community. Similar to other doctrine, utilitarianism is not without a flaw. Bernard Williams, in his paper Utilitarianism and Integrity, voices his primary concern in regard to utilitarianism by providing two concrete examples to demonstrate how utilitarianism is only concerned about the consequences of the action and not about the means used to get there. Williams argues that utilitarianism fails to acknowledge the integrity of a person because the ultimate goal of utilitarianism is to produce the greatest happiness overall. Williams demonstrate this problematic dilemma in the example of Jim. While on a botanical expedition, Jim stumbled upon the central square of a small South American town. In front of him is a row of twenty petrified Indians, lined up to be executed by armed men. The captain in charge, Pedro, explains to Jim that these twenty Indians were chosen randomly from a group of inhabitants to be killed as a message to other potential protestors that it is unwise to protest against the government. Since Jim is a visitor from a foreign land, the captain offers himShow MoreRelatedIn Utilitarianism For and Against by Bernard Williams, Williams has an argument that is based on1200 Words   |  5 PagesIn Utilitarianism For and Against by Bernard Williams, Williams has an argument that is based on the value of integrity. Integrity is defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles or moral uprightness. In Williams argument he believes in certain circumstances utilitarianism requires agents to abandon their personal projects and commitments. 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In this essay I will argue that Mill thinks that there is a strong relationship between the two concepts, although he regards moral rules as having a subordinate relationship towards the principle of utility. Mill is a rule utilitarian who believes moral rules are useful guidelines for everyday uses, but reverts to the principle of utility in complex moral situations. In this essay I will also argue for the advantages of Mill’s understanding ofRead MoreUtilitarianism, By John Rawls And Robert Nozick1486 Words   |  6 PagesUtilitarianism is a moral theory according to which an action is right if and only if it conforms to the principle of utility. An action conforms to the principle of utility if and only if its performance will be more productive of pleasure or happiness, or more preventive of pain and happiness, than any alternative. The rightness of an action entirely depends on the value of its consequences, this is why the theory is described as consequentialist. 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People tend to equate utilitarianism simply with individualism. In fact, the means of utilitarianism not only consider a behaviour and motivation, and to emphasize life purpose should emerge to the scope of his own happiness, to care about other people s happiness and the improvement ofRead MoreUtilitarianism And Bernard Williams Critique Of Utilitarianism1915 Words   |  8 PagesUtilitarianism’s Moral Overburdening and Ber nard Williams’ Critique Utilitarianism, at first, appears to be a rather uncontroversial ethical theory in that it bases its plausibility on its basic principle of maximizing human happiness. Even so, it proves to be rather problematic in many of its aspects as soon as one discerns how this ethical account ascribes moral value to actions. Particularly, one worrying issue for utilitarianism, which I will be delving into, deals with is its demands on the way