Bernard Williams And Utilitarianism

Words: 298

Pages: 2

Bernard Williams goes into asking the question if Utilitarianism is the correct answer in every situation. Sure, considering the greater happiness of everyone when making a decision is a good idea, but when it comes down between choosing how someone actually feels about a certain contingency, should they choose the greater happiness, or what they feel? The morally correct response in the trolley event, according to Utilitarianism, would be to run over the one person instead of five. In actuality, if you knew that one person was a beloved family member, most would go with running over the five strangers, because no one could possibly live with knowing that they killed one of their family members. This is where Utilitarianism gets tricky. Williams

Show More

Utilitarianism and Williams Essay

Essay #2 10/17/13 In Bernard Williams’ critique of utilitarianism, he focuses on the individual to a great extent. The overarching theme of his essay is that the utilitarian places no emphasis whatsoever on the individual; utilitarianism only pays attention to the consequences or the outcomes of a situation and holds no regard to an individual’s moral feelings or their integrity. In reality, according to Williams, if everyone was living according to utilitarianism, there are an infinite number…

Words 1356 - Pages 6

Mill Utilitarianism

To what extent is utilitarianism helpful in living a truly moral life? Utilitarianism is an ethical theory proposed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill which applies the principle of utility to moral problems. This utility refers to the extent to which good and evil are done by choice. The theories of Bentham and Mill are consequentialist, seeing goodness as being about happiness, well-being or pleasure. Making moral decisions is something every human being does throughout life. How we live has…

Words 760 - Pages 4

Pros And Cons Of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy created by Jeremy Bentham during the enlightenment. Like his peers during this time, Bentham, attempted understand the world around him through reason and intellect which inspired him to create a moral philosophy that would mirror that sort of thought. Utilitarianism, as an ethical theory, in its simplest form is: seeking decisions that produce pleasure over pain. Bentham writes “Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and…

Words 1613 - Pages 7

Essay on Strengths and Weaknesses of Utilitarian

solely driven by happiness. It is so structured that it doesn’t consider the importance of personal commitments. Duty for example doesn’t stem from self-interest so is non-consequential so a Utilitarian’s choice may be at conflict with his duty. Bernard Williams believes we should not ignore personal responsibility or integrity for moral actions. It is democratic, so it is accessible by anybody, disregarding there class, religion, age, race etc. Jesus: ‘There is no greater good than sacrificing your…

Words 402 - Pages 2

Essay Philosophy: Logic and Fundamental Moral Rule

solely by their consequences) and deontology (actions are to be morally evaluated solely by consideration of agents' duties, the rights of those whom the action concerns, or both). Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill are famous for propagating utilitarianism, which is the idea that the fundamental moral rule is to strive toward the "greatest happiness for the greatest number". However, in promoting this idea they also necessarily promoted the broader doctrine of consequentialism. Adopting a position…

Words 594 - Pages 3

darf of ethic Essay

fashionable Chinese elites absent? Thus, to report that the success is because Chinese people love status is not objective. Another issue that arises in this news report is accuracy. As one of the “journalism-related virtues” presented by Bernard Williams, accuracy is an important point for media practitioners to be cautious to ensure the resources are reliable and not false (Phillips, et al., 2010: 53). In addition, The Editors' Code of Practice also declares that media practitioners should avoid…

Words 1254 - Pages 6