Law essay on: Utilitarianism Approach and its Implication

Introduction

            The span of Philosophy is quite comprehensive which contains a number of different theories and concepts. The significance and applications of different theories are quite different from each others. In relation to this, there are a number of different theories and concepts are there, which are directed to elaborate the rationale and ethical significance of every action performed by business organization. In direction to this, different perspective defines the meaning of good and moral act in a quite different manner. In regard to this, the paper is aimed to reflect some of the intensive lights over one of the prominent theories of philosophy, namely Utilitarianism for the purpose of defining and ethics and morality behind every action undertaken by the human being. In addition to this, the paper also provides some Conceptual underpinning of the theory along with different positive and negative aspects of theory so that significance of theory in making decisions can be revealed.

Utilitarianism theory

            Utilitarianism is a philosophical approach which is directed to provide ethical rationale behind every activity and approach. This approach is proposed by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), and developed by John Stuart Mill (1806-73). Utilitarianism concept provides the definition of a proper and effective course of action. As per the concept, the action, which maximizes the overall happiness of the human being, is categorized as the proper course of action. As per the concept, the moral worth of an action can be determined through the outcome of the action. All the actions, which enhance the happiness of a human being, are categorized as right action ((Lamb, Hair, & McDaniel, 2011).

 The concepts also states that happiness and sadness are the implicit phenomena for which, no clear definition can be given. Moreover, these feelings are quite dependable upon the circumstances. Owing to this reason, the values and ethical viability of an action varies as per the circumstances. This approach can be considered as reductionist approach to ethics as it moulds the definition of ethics as per the circumstances (Sheng & Sheng 2004).

Conceptual underpinning of the theory

            The Utilitarianism approach has been researched by different authors and scholars. In direction to this, Brandt, (1992) has explored the point of view of John Stuart Mill in the context of Utilitarianism approach. As per the author, there is no quantity of pleasure. There is only two qualitative extant of pleasures, namely ‘higher’ and ‘lower’ pleasures. The author has referred the Greatest Happiness Principle to ‘the Greatest Happiness Principle’.

            Along with this, Sheng, & Sheng (1998) have also stated that for a human being it is quite crucial to have proper understanding about the consequences of his act because morality of the act heavily depends the results of the act. Moreover, as the person can only anticipate the results, there is no any specific definition of ethics related to the can be given. The theory depicts that at the time of making any decision, a decision maker should keep the tentative outcome or result of the act into consideration. If the act is going to offer some benefits to the society, the act will be counted as an ethical act, but all the act which are going to deliver some negative outcomes to the society can be categorized as unethical and immoral act.

            In the views of Sheng & Sheng (2004) Utilitarianism approach is a result oriented approach which defines the ethical viability of any act only on the basis of the outcomes and consequences of the act. Intentions behind undertaking of the act are not considered as the measure of morality of the act. Sometime despite having some positive and moral intention behind an act, the outcome of the act is not positive. In this condition, this act cannot be considered as a moral act.

            The theory also determines the role of pain and pleasure in the context of human life. As per the approach, it is quite essential for a human being to undertake the activities which can maximize his pleasure and minimize pain In direction to this, ethical viability of the act can only be determined on the basis of the positive outcome and negative consequence of the act. In this way, as per the theory, morality of an act is a relative and dependable phenomenon which directly depends upon the consequences of that specific act. In this way, there is a no specific and decisive factor that can define the exact definition of the moral and ethical activity of a person (Lamb, Hair, & McDaniel, 2011).

Positive aspect of the theory

            Utilitarianism approach is one of the major philosophical approaches, which can be used for the purpose of determining the ethical viability of acts of human beings. There are certain intensive and positive aspects of the theory which articulate its significance in the real world.

• First and foremost positivity associated with this approach is that this approach is a scientific approach which provides ethical reasoning behind any act of the person. As the theory considers only outcomes or consequences of the act for the purpose of defining ethicality and morality of that act, it seems more practical and scientific approach (Tännsjö, 1998).
• The theory clearly states the basic significance of pain and pleasure in the context of a successful human life. On the basis of assumptions made by the theory, a human being can align his all the acts to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
• The theory clearly states the prime objective of the life of a human being. As per the theory, the prime objective of the human life or activity is to maximize pleasure and minimize pain (Stewart 2009).
• The theory also provides the definition of good and evil acts. In relation to this, the theory states that all the things that enhances the pleasure, will be equated with good and moral acts, while acts that lead to pain for the human being will be counted within the category of evil act.
• Along with this, the theory also quantifies the feeling of pain and pleasure in two different extremes, namely higher and Lower. The dimension of ethical viability of an action lies somewhere between this scale (Pojman, & Fieser, 2011).

In this way, the theory provides a scientific approach to determine the ethical and moral viability of different actions of a human being.

Negative aspects of the theory

As every coin has two sides, there are several aspects on which, the Utilitarianism approach can be criticized.

• The first and foremost objection of this approach is that there are no clear standards, and definition of happiness is provided in this approach. The theory only provides means of achieving happiness, but there is no clear definition of happiness and pleasure. Pleasure for one person can be pain for other person (Tännsjö, 1998).
• Another critical issue related with this approach is that only pleasure is not the enough characteristic that can decide the appropriateness of the action. There are other notable aspects such as knowledge and ethical morality of the people on which, the viability of the action can be judged. Only pleasure cannot be understood as the sole method of judge the appropriateness of the action (Tännsjö, 1998).
• The approach justifies all the actions that provide some maximized happiness and minimizes pain. From the perspective of an individual, there are different objectionable and unethical tasks which are justified with the help of this approach (Sheng, & Sheng, 2004).

Conclusion

            On the basis of review of entire discussion made in the paper it can be concluded that the Utilitarianism approach is a philosophical approach undertaken for the purpose of making decision regarding appropriateness and moral viability of an action of the human being. However, there are certain objections of the theory, which should be considered while making decisions.

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