StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Utilitarian ethics - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Utilitarian ethics is based on the premise that the morally right course of action is one that produces maximum benefits to most of the people.Utilitarian ethics does not care what means are used to produce such benefits. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.4% of users find it useful
Utilitarian ethics
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Utilitarian ethics"

Utilitarian Ethics Utilitarian ethics is based on the premise that the morally right of action is one that produces maximum benefits to mostof the people. Utilitarian ethics does not care what means are used to produce such benefits. It aims at finding a right kind of action in a given situation that the utilitarian ethicists find themselves trapped into. Andre and Velasquez (2010) argue that utilitarian ethicist may coerce, manipulate or even lie in order to derive the maximum benefit to everyone.

In current days, Scientists, diplomats, or business analyst think in terms of benefits and harms while suggesting a ban on certain pesticide, or making an investment in some project, or launching a new drug. Though utilitarianism is a popular ethical theory, it has several pitfalls too. Utilitarian theorists assign values to the benefits and harms derived from one set of actions and then compare the values that may arise through another set of action. But, often, it is not possible to measure or compare the values of benefits that may accrue from our actions.

There are so many intangibles that are involved while attempting to measure the values of our so called moralistic actions. It is not possible to measure and compare the value of money with that of time, human dignity or for that matter human life (Andre and Velasquez 2010). Utilitarian ethicist believe that moral decisions need to be taken based on benefit or burden to the society; however, such decisions may be unjust to many. Genetics is an emerging medical science and the issues pertaining to the mandatory testing with regard to the certain genetic disorders may raise several ethical questions.

The proponents of utilitarian ethics would favor genetic screening in identifying disorders, which has its roots in the genetics. Many attempts have been made in the past to make genetic screening a mandatory requirement and that is likely to trigger new issues that would have much deeper implications. Fulda and Lykens (2006) raise the pertinent ethical issues while discussing the case of a 55 year old female dialysis patient. She was identified with a genetic disorder called autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

On screening, her four sons were also identified as carriers of this genetic disorder. The consequences that followed thereafter are worthy of elaboration. Her eldest son developed symptoms of ADPKD at the age of 32 and he committed suicide. Her second son divorced his wife when he was at age 30 so as not to burden her and to keep off from having a family. Surprising, he did not have any complication until he turned 54. At the early age of 25, her third son left his fiancee for likely health issues in future due to this genetic abnormality.

At age 21, her youngest son who also got identified as a carrier of ADPKD, left his education and never married. This chap did not experience any symptoms until the last reporting. This implies that after knowing about a genetic disorder people tend to make radical decisions disrupting peace and harmony in their life. The pertinent question is that each family member had the right not to undergo screening. In the event not knowing anything about the disease, it is quite possible that her eldest son might not have committed suicide.

Her second son might not have considered giving divorce to his wife living happily with her until rest of the life. It is certain that after knowing about the disease, family went through a great turmoil. It is again pertinent to note here that though genetic screening did inform the members about the possible outcomes yet actual outcomes were different as third and fourth sons did not have any complications. If genetic screening is made mandatory across population, it is likely to play havoc in the society.

Utilitarian ethicists’ viewpoints fall short of understanding and solving current environmental issues that world is facing today. Rolston (1991) argues that humanist ethics cannot be applied to environment. All utilitarian philosophy is focused on human welfare but that is very parochial perspective. Utilitarian ethicists look at only instrumental value from the human angle but in nature everything has its own intrinsic value and that also needs to be preserved. Utilitarian ethicists have so far tried to understand and solve the issues such as global warming, pollution, environment keeping humans in mind; however, there are nonhuman objects of duty too.

The degradation of the environment is much bigger a threat to the entire world and now the time has come to think in terms of ecosystems that are nature’s way of life. Thus, integrating utilitarian ethics with environmental ethics is a need of the hour if life has to flourish on this planet for a long time. References Andre, C., Velasquez, M. (2010), Calculating Consequences: The Utilitarian Approach to Ethics, retrieved June 2, 2012 from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v2n1/calculating.

html Fulda and Lykens (2006), Ethical issues in predictive genetic testing: a public health perspective, retrieved June 2, 2012 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2564466/ Rolston, H. (1991). "Environmental Ethics: Values in and Duties to the Natural World". The Broken Circle: Ecology, Economics, Ethics. Yale University Press, New Haven, retrieved June 2, 2012 from http://www.ecospherics.net/pages/RolstonEnvEth.html

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Utilitarian ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Utilitarian ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/philosophy/1452449-utilitarian-ethics
(Utilitarian Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Utilitarian Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/philosophy/1452449-utilitarian-ethics.
“Utilitarian Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/philosophy/1452449-utilitarian-ethics.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Utilitarian ethics

Business Issues in Organizational Culture: Utilitarian Ethics

The writer of the review "Business Issues in Organizational Culture: Utilitarian ethics" intends to shed light on the aspects of Utilitarianism theory and its application in business action management.... Utilitarian ethics is demonstrated by the transistor manufacturing board when they accepted to supply the heart pacemakers with the transistors they needed because of responsibility and duty to protect the rights of individuals in need of the pacemakers....
6 Pages (1500 words) Literature review

The War's Ethical Nature According to Utilitarian Ethics

hellip; According to Utilitarian ethics, morality and ethical behaviour are defined solely by how effective it is in making people happy or in benefiting them in some way.... According to Utilitarian ethics, morality and ethical behavior are defined solely by how effective it is in making people happy or in benefiting themin some way.... By taking a utilitarian view, though, we can argue that even though war is horrible, it can still be an ethical action, because it may eventually benefit people in a way that not going to war and staying with the current state of affairs in a foreign country would not....
2 Pages (500 words) Research Paper

Deontological ethics and teleological (utilitarian) ethics

Deontology Deontological ethics and teleological (utilitarian) ethics ethics refers to established principles of moral values that regulate behavior in a society.... eleological ethics that requires attention to consequences is therefore a problem because it may induce conflict with legal provisions since a beneficial consequence may be achieved through illegal means.... ethics In Clinical Practice....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Utilitarian and Pertinent Issues

These issues… Through Utilitarian ethics, these pertinent issues gain justification and are seen to have great importance to humans (Smith 13). Everyone has a right to work as it is a means to an end Utilitarianism Relationship between Utilitarian and pertinent issues (i.... right-to-work, fairness in advertising)Utilitarian ethics focuses on the practicality of the utility being focused on and the maximization of benefits.... Through Utilitarian ethics, these pertinent issues gain justification and are seen to have great importance to humans (Smith 13)....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

The Significance of Utilitarian and Kantian Ethical Theories

Kantian and Utilitarian ethics play a fundamental role in defining the daily aspects of individual decision making through perceptions, actions, and moral outcomes of each theory.... If one does not take any action to prevent this suffering without being shallow, then according to Utilitarian ethics they are wrong.... In addition, the concept of the Golden Rule is embedded in the Utilitarian ethics itself.... he second element that proves that individuals are keen to agree with Utilitarian ethics is because of the free will and predestination logic associated with it....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Arts and Humanties

There are many theories of ethics, one of which namely Utilitarian ethics is frequently employed to evaluate the issues.... Utilitarian ethics focuses upon net happiness achieved by making specific decisions.... There are many theories of ethics, one of which namely Utilitarian ethics is frequently employed to evaluate the issues.... Utilitarian ethics focuses upon net happiness achieved by making specific decisions.... Of many options, decision that yields the maximum net happiness is considered justified from the perspective of Utilitarian ethics....
2 Pages (500 words) Assignment

Mill's Utilitarian Ethics

The author states that ethics seeks to resolve the question that deals with human morality concepts such as virtue and vice, justice and crime right and wrong and lastly good and evil.... ethics is divided into three categories that are; applied ethics, normative ethics, and Metaethics.... ethics is a branch of philosophy that mainly involves defending, systematizing and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct, ethics addresses disputes of moral diversity, the best way for humans to live and the king of actions that are said to right or wrong in given circumstances....
6 Pages (1500 words) Term Paper

Rule Utilitarian Ethics and Hurricane Katrina

The theory of Utilitarian ethics is a philosophical view that explains how people should assess situations before they make choices.... nbsp; Another example that is in relation to Rule Utilitarian ethics and supports my decision is an accident that involves a pedestrian and a bus full of people.... Rule Utilitarian ethics suggests that a driver of a bus full of people should just hit a pedestrian who is on the wrong side of the highway to save may persons on the bus....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us