Utilitarianism is the ability to predict the consequences of a theory. Certain actions might decrease utility for some people and increase it for others. The choice that yields the greatest benefit to the most people is the choice that is ethically correct
There are two types of utilitarianism, act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. Act utilitarianism conforms exactly to the definition of utilitarianism. In act utilitarianism, the utilitarian principle applies to individual actions. For each action, we consider the impact on utility and judge the action by its net impact. A person performs the acts that benefit the most people, regardless of personal feelings or laws. Rule utilitarianism, however, applies to general ethical rules. It takes into account the law and is concerned with fairness. A rule utilitarian seeks to benefit the most people but through the fairest and most just means available. Rule utilitarianism values justice and includes beneficence at the same time
Act and Rule utilitarianism contains many imperfections just as any other ethical theory does. On one hand act utilitarianism does not acknowledge or have any respect for individual rights. It is not always concerned with justice; it is only concerned with achieving the maximum benefits. On the other hand rule utilitarianism contains a source of instability that inhibits its usefulness as well but not as much as act utilitarianism does.
An example of act utilitarianism is giving someone back their wallet if they lost it and you found it. This would make that person happy. People in general having personal items returned to them will make them happy. This is an example of rule utilitarianism.
References
Baase, S. (2008). A gift of fire: Social, legal, and ethical issues for computing and the Internet (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kabernd/indep/carainbow/Theories.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment