but with known minor side effects because the drug is able to help more people than are bothered by the side effects. Act utilitarianism often demonstrates the concept that “the end justifies the means”—or it's worth it.
should be approached. Consequentialism is a philosophy that asks whether or not the end justifies the means. “In other words‚ an act and therefore a decision is ethical if its favorable consequences outweigh its negative consequences” (Brooks‚ 2007‚ p. 329).Deontology‚ on the other...
It seems, prima facie, to be the comprehensive principle we seek. But utilitarianism faces two great problems. First, it justifies any means to the end of utility maximization. Second, suppose we define utility as personal preference satisfaction. Then according to utilitarianism the good simply ...
utitlitarianism seems to be too demanding in requiring an excessive or impossible amount of deliberation in order to determine the right action as the right action is the one with the best consequences, overall and until the end of time considered as to how it affects every sentient organism ...
Is that enough to make showing the picture ethical? What formula should we use to determine whether utilitarian analysis justifies an action where the benefits are tangible and the “harm” is ephemeral? If the photo brightened one viewer’s day, isn’t that enough?
My fellow Crooked Timber blogger Ingrid Robeyns has long been making the case for limitarianism, that is, the idea that there should be an upper limit on the amount any one person can own or consume. As Ingrid has observed, limitarianism is a constraint,
Although Mill fully justifies himself, his approach lacks certain criteria for which happiness can be considered. Happiness should be judged, not only by pleasure, but by pain as well. This paper will examine Mill's position on happiness, and the reasoning behind it. Showing where there are ...
The importance of security justifies redistribution, respect for property rights, and the criminal law. Since the nineteenth century, Bentham has been pictured mainly as a supporter of the free market. However, he actually imagines a much broader positive role for the state than almost all his ...
By a method, Sidgwick meant the rational process of arriving at a means of making ethical decisions. All possible attempts at method, he believed, could be summarized by three approaches: egoism, Utilitarianism, and intuitionism. Egoism refers to the theory that justifies an action in terms of...