ACT UTILITARIANISM

Introduction

Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism, which has been a major philosophy for

hundreds of years due to philosophers such as Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. This theory
type is called act utilitarianism, and it is based on the idea that the moral rightness of an action
depends on the outcome of an action, specifically whether it increases happiness and reduces
suffering. If an action brings about benefit to more people than it harms, then it is right.

The following report presents an overview of act utilitarianism, its main concepts, and the
use some of the approach debates in surrounding ethical decision-making. It explores the
advantages and the disadvantages. Furthermore, it explains the position of act utilitarianism within
consequentialism and how it can influence practical moral decisions in the world. This narrative is
the result of extensive research by examining both the strengths and weaknesses of this ethical
theory, this report aims to provide a balanced perspective on the role of act utilitarianism in moral
philosophy and its application to real-world ethical dilemmas.

Act Utilitarianism

Act utilitarianism is based on the work of Jeremy Bentham whose philosophy states that
people are motivated by pleasure and avoid pain as principle directive. This moral theory focuses
on the principle of ‘utilitarianism’ which means the action that brings about the greatest happiness
of the greatest number. In each situation, we should evaluate options and choose the one that
produces the greatest good.

This type of reasoning is also known as normative ethical theory because it offers a method
of distinguishing between right and wrong by seeking to promote the highest level of well-being. It
shows that an action is morally right if it results in producing happiness or preventing suffering for
all the parties involved and it underlines the effects of our actions.

First, act utilitarianism is a form of act consequentialism, the type of ethical theory that
explains that the rightness or wrongness of an action depends solely on the overall happiness it
produces. Its central idea is that the morality of an action is based on its outcome. The good or bad
consequences of an action are all that matter when assessing a moral belief. So, if you help an old
person cross the road and do it safely, that’s a good thing. But if in your attempt to help, you trip
and accidentally hurt them, then the act is bad.

Second, act utilitarianism is an impartial theory. Utilitarians believe that all people’s
happiness is worth the same. They believe you ought to do whatever produces the most happiness
for everyone, impartially considered. This includes the important idea that when we calculate the
utility of actions, laws, or policies, we must do so from an impartial perspective and not from a
“partialist” perspective that favors ourselves, our friends, or others we especially care about.
Bentham is often cited as the source of a famous utilitarian axiom: “Every man to count for one,
nobody for more than one.”

An act utilitarian would look at this situation by thinking about which choice leads to the
best overall outcome. They would compare the consequences of pulling the lever versus not pulling
it. If you pull the lever, you save five people but lose your father. If you don’t pull it, your father
survives, but five people die. From an act utilitarian point of view, pulling the lever is the better
choice because it saves more lives overall. They focus on doing what results in the least amount of
harm and the most good for the most people, even if it means sacrificing one person. However, they
might also think about the emotional impact of losing a loved one, which could make the decision
feel more complicated. But in the end, they would likely choose to pull the lever to save the five
people.

Lastly, Act utilitarians think we should not just try to maximize happiness, but we should
also minimize unhappiness. Act utilitarianism is grounded in the principle that the right action is
the one that produces the greatest utility, which includes both maximizing pleasure (happiness)
and minimizing pain (unhappiness). This is why Bentham argued that we should consider the
overall balance of pleasure and pain when making ethical decisions.

Primary arguments in favor of act utilitarianism, arguments or objections against act

utilitarianism, and responses to Criticisms of Act Utilitarianism

Act utilitarianism, a form of consequentialist ethical theory, asserts that the morally right
action is the one that maximizes overall happiness and minimizes overall suffering. While the
principle behind act utilitarianism is straightforward, its application and consequences have led to
significant controversy and criticism.

One of the most notable strengths of act utilitarianism is its emphasis on maximizing utility.
It takes a practical approach to moral decision-making by putting the impact of acts first. This
emphasis on the consequences can result in efficient and effective answers to complicated ethical
dilemmas. Furthermore, utilitarianism's versatility allows for consideration of specific situations
and potential consequences, rather than rigorous obedience to moral standards that may not
always be appropriate.

However, act utilitarianism doesn't come without problems. The primary critique is that it
can be used to rationalize morally unpleasant behavior. The "ends justify the means" mindset
associated with act utilitarianism may give rise to circumstances in which causing harm to
innocent people is regarded as morally acceptable if it leads to a larger overall good. This
contradicts our natural sense of justice and fairness, and can undermine confidence in social
interactions.

Another point of worry is act utilitarianism's high demands. Individuals must continually
analyze the potential implications of their activities in order to achieve overall satisfaction.This
process can be mentally taxing, leading to anxiety or even moral paralysis as people struggle to
calculate the potential outcomes of each choice. Furthermore, act utilitarianism can be regarded as
encouraging a type of moral relativism in which moral judgments depend on particular situations
and can differ from scenario to scenario. The absence of ultimate moral norms may compromise
the fundamentals of morality and make it challenging to establish clear principles.

In response to these objections, several philosophers have proposed rule utilitarianism as

an alternative in order for critics to not dismiss utilitarianism as a whole. Unlike act utilitarianism,
which focuses on individual actions, rule utilitarianism advocates for following moral rules that, if
generally followed, would lead to the greatest overall good. This method strikes a balance between
the adaptability of act utilitarianism and the stability offered by moral standards. Rule
utilitarianism seeks to address the dangers of moral relativism and the excessive demands of act
utilitarianism while still promoting the goal of maximizing utility.

While act utilitarianism provides a persuasive framework for making ethical decisions, it is
critical to recognize its drawbacks and possible dangers. By thoroughly acknowledging both this
theory's strengths and weaknesses, we can obtain a better knowledge of the complexity of moral
philosophy and make more sound moral choices.

Conclusion

Act utilitarianism is a moral theory that decides if something is right or wrong based on its
results. The goal is to choose actions that bring the most happiness and reduce suffering for the
greatest number of people. Developed by philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, it
focuses on the impact of our actions on others, prioritizing outcomes over intentions. This approach
helps in making decisions, especially when faced with tough choices, like in public health or policy-
making.

However, it has challenges. It's hard to predict the outcomes of actions, especially long-term
ones, and sometimes it can justify actions that seem unfair if they benefit the majority. Despite this,
act utilitarianism is still a useful tool for making ethical decisions. By combining it with other ideas,
like rule utilitarianism, we can find a balance between flexibility and fairness. In the end, act
utilitarianism helps us think carefully about the consequences of our actions on people and society.

References:

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The Open University. (November,2014).The Trolley Problem[Video]. Youtube.

https://youtu.be/bOpf6KcWYyw?si=J6orzxqpXev1fulO

McElwee,B. (December,2020). MORAL PHILOSOPHY - Act Utilitarianism[Video].

Youtube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3NAEJF9x3g&t=43s

Nathanson, S. (n.d.). Act and Rule Utilitarianism. Retrieved from Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy: https://iep.utm.edu/util-a-r/