### 날짜 : 2023-12-13 18:16 ### 주제 : #마케팅 #공부 #ethics ---- # Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is a [[Consequentialism]] ethical theory that was developed by philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. It is a prominent moral framework that provides a systematic approach to making ethical decisions based on the principle of maximizing overall happiness or utility. Here are the key details of utilitarianism: ### 1. **Principle of Utility:** - At the heart of utilitarianism is the principle of utility, which states that actions are morally right to the extent that they promote happiness or pleasure and morally wrong to the extent that they produce unhappiness or pain. - Utility, in this context, is often equated with happiness or well-being. Utilitarians aim to maximize the overall well-being of all affected individuals in a given situation. ### 2. **Greatest Happiness Principle:** - Utilitarianism is often summarized by the "Greatest Happiness Principle," which advocates for choosing actions that produce the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. - In other words, an action is morally right if it results in more overall happiness than any alternative action. ### 3. **Consequentialism:** - Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory, which means it evaluates the morality of actions solely based on their outcomes or consequences. - It doesn't consider the inherent nature of actions or the intentions behind them; what matters is the net effect on happiness or well-being. ### 4. **Quantitative and Qualitative Considerations:** - Utilitarians consider both the quantity and quality of happiness. It's not just about maximizing pleasure; it's also about minimizing pain and suffering. - This means that utilitarianism takes into account the intensity, duration, and extent of pleasure or suffering produced by an action. ### 5. **Universal Application:** - Utilitarianism is often seen as a universal ethical theory because it doesn't rely on cultural or personal beliefs. It aims to provide a rational and impartial method for making ethical decisions that can be applied universally. ### 6. **Calculating Utility:** - One of the challenges in utilitarianism is how to calculate and compare the utility of different actions and their consequences. - Some critics argue that this can be a difficult or even impossible task, especially in complex moral dilemmas. ### 7. **Act vs. Rule Utilitarianism:** - There are two main branches of utilitarianism: act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism. - Act utilitarianism assesses the morality of each individual action separately and directly applies the principle of utility to determine what action is right in a specific situation. - Rule utilitarianism, on the other hand, focuses on following general rules or principles that, when consistently adhered to, tend to maximize overall happiness. It's concerned with the utility of adopting and following specific rules rather than evaluating each action in isolation. ### 8. **Critiques of Utilitarianism:** - Utilitarianism has faced various criticisms. Some argue that it can lead to morally objectionable outcomes when it justifies sacrificing the well-being of a minority for the greater good of the majority. Others question its ability to accurately measure or predict consequences. ### 9. **Application Areas:** - Utilitarianism has been applied to a wide range of ethical issues, including public policy, healthcare, environmental ethics, and business ethics. It provides a framework for decision-making in these fields by evaluating the overall impact on happiness. Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory that prioritizes the maximization of overall happiness or well-being. It is a widely debated and discussed moral framework that has both proponents and critics. While it offers a clear and systematic approach to ethics, it can also be challenged on various fronts, particularly in situations where the pursuit of happiness may conflict with other moral values or individual rights. ### 출처(참고문헌) - ### 연결문서 - [[Consequentialism]] - [[11.3 Ethical Decision-Making Framework]] - [[이마누엘 칸트 (Immanuel Kant)]]