Critically assess the view that utilitarianism provides a helpful way to make moral decisions.

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Created on: 31-03-21 18:09


	Critically assess the view that utilitarianism provides a helpful way to make moral decisions.
	Advantages In introduction, briefly describe the "Principle of Utility", and the differences between Act and Rule utilitarianism Moral decisions involve seeking a balance between good/evil, pleasure/pain, and through the "Hedonic Calculus" utilitarianism helps here. Teleological and relativist ethical approaches are more useful than deontological and absolutist approaches like Natural Law Theory as they are more subjective and can be applied on a situational level Trolley problem- compare both responses from Act and Rule utilitarianism and comment on the value of their perspectives to the situation Utilitarianism is at its heart democratic and so as such it is well suited to our democratic society.	Disadvantages Moral decisions involve more than just seeking the greatest balance of good over evil, or pleasure over pain; factors such as duty and reason must be accounted for It is not possible to adequately assess the benefit or harm of a moral decision through its consequences as these cannot be predicted with certainty Following act utilitarian principles allows for the interest of the minority to be sacrificed for the advancement of the majority Act utilitarianism does not provide a helpful way to reach a moral decision as it is based on the merits of each situation; rule utilitarianism does as it involves absolutist aspects in requiring that accepted laws are followed in the majority of circumstances
	Evaluation Disagree with the statement/ agree with caveat that Act utilitarianism can be limiting in its approach, but Rule utilitarianism is helpful when making moral decisions. Discus what is needed when trying to make a moral decision, as we are each subjective people with different minds, we require a set standard to which we can all be held accountable.

Critically assess the view that utilitarianism provides a helpful way to make moral decisions.

Advantages

In introduction, briefly describe the "Principle of Utility", and the differences between Act and Rule utilitarianism
Moral decisions involve seeking a balance between good/evil, pleasure/pain, and through the "Hedonic Calculus" utilitarianism helps here.
Teleological and relativist ethical approaches are more useful than deontological and absolutist approaches like Natural Law Theory as they are more subjective and can be applied on a situational level
Trolley problem- compare both responses from Act and Rule utilitarianism and comment on the value of their perspectives to the situation
Utilitarianism is at its heart democratic and so as such it is well suited to our democratic society.

Disadvantages

Moral decisions involve more than just seeking the greatest balance of good over evil, or pleasure over pain; factors such as duty and reason must be accounted for
It is not possible to adequately assess the benefit or harm of a moral decision through its consequences as these cannot be predicted with certainty
Following act utilitarian principles allows for the interest of the minority to be sacrificed for the advancement of the majority
Act utilitarianism does not provide a helpful way to reach a moral decision as it is based on the merits of each situation; rule utilitarianism does as it involves absolutist aspects in requiring that accepted laws are followed in the majority of circumstances

Evaluation

Disagree with the statement/ agree with caveat that Act utilitarianism can be limiting in its approach, but Rule utilitarianism is helpful when making moral decisions. Discus what is needed when trying to make a moral decision, as we are each subjective people with different minds, we require a set standard to which we can all be held accountable.

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Critically assess the view that utilitarianism provides a helpful way to make moral decisions.

Critically assess the view that utilitarianism provides a helpful way to make moral decisions.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Evaluation

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