Utilitarianism

[dhoks]

Utilitarianism offers a relatively straightforward method for deciding the morally right course of action for any particular situation we may find ourselves in. To discover what we ought to do in any situation, we first identify the various courses of action that we could perform. Second, we determine all of the foreseeable benefits and harms that would result from each course of action for everyone affected by the action. And third, we choose the course of action that provides the greatest benefits after the costs have been taken into account.

 

[jitenmazee996]

The consequentialist ethical theory of utilitarianism holds that an action's morality is judged by how much happiness or general utility it produces. Utilitarianism argues that if a course of action increases overall happiness or well-being and reduces suffering for the largest number of individuals, then it is ethically correct.

Imagine, for instance, that a firm is debating whether to put in place safety measures to shield employees from potential damage. A utilitarian would assess the choice according to how much happiness or suffering was gained overall. The activity is considered ethically correct if the safety precautions result in a notable decrease in the number of accidents and worker injuries, raising the general well-being of the workers.