Discussion of Utilitarianism Essay examples - 830 Words

Discussion of Utilitarianism In this paper I will be discussing utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the theory proposing the principle of utility as the correct ethical standard. I will also be talking about the THEORY of RIGHT CONDUCT, which is also a part of moral theory. I have been asked to prove if Bentham or Mills’ version of utilitarianism is right for the sadistic voyeur case. I will begin by telling you about the case. Case: this man enjoys watching women being brutally raped; he is locked in a room. He cannot exit the room, there is a window in the room and a curtain covers it. Behind the curtain a woman is being brutally raped by several men. If the man opens the curtain he will†¦show more content†¦Bentham’s utility principle is saying that the sadistic voyeur should open the curtain. If he opens the curtain he is gaining pleasure but the person on the other side is gaining pain, both mentally and physically. Just because the sadistic voyeur thinks its right, it is not morally right. Bentham’s principle states as long as you gaining pleasure then there should not be any pain involved. He is saying that it may be right to open the curtain today but wrong tomorrow. The reason that this is problematic for Bentham’s principle is because Bentham is giving the person more reasons why it is right to do the act than giving him reasons why it is wrong. Bentham is saying that if you desire something that is desirable you should obtain that desire. This is not true in the sadistic voyeur’s case, true the men are all gaining pleasure but the woman is not gaining pleasure at all. She is gaining more pain from the sadistic voyeur because he chose to open the curtain and watch her being brutally raped. Bentham’s principle is problematic because it’s immorally wrong to commit such an act. The action that the sadistic voyeur is thinking about committing is a forbidden action. Meaning that from the point of view ofShow MoreRelatedAct Utilitarianism : Morally Permissible?944 Words   |  4 PagesAct utilitarianism is the philosophy that an act is permissible (the right thing to do) if and only if it produces as much or more good than any available alternative (class discussion). Act utilitarianism states that an act is morally permissible to do if and only if the good that the act produces will out weigh the good that any other available alternative act would produce. For example, if you are choosing between sitting at home all day or going to volunteer at a charity, act utilitarianism wouldRead MoreEthics Is Not Moral Or Immoral940 Words   |  4 Pagescountries’ morals. If one country believes something is not morally right, but in other countries it is. This does not mean it is based on the culture to make it moral or immoral. Ethics is not based on one sp ecific society, but ideas. Ethics is about discussions and how theories can be put into effect. 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