Examples Of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism promotes happiness as the greatest good, and the maximization of happiness as the highest duty. The history of the theory of utilitarianism begins with Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832). Bentham determined that people should base their actions and decisions on the principle of maximizing utility, or happiness. In short, “Utility is understood first in terms of happiness and then as the balance of pleasure over pain,” (Wolff 126). Happiness itself is abstract, but the physical balance of pleasure over pain is something that can be felt. Furthermore, happiness is regarded as a long-term emotion, whereas pleasure and pain are fleeting. The theory of utilitarianism, according to Bentham, argues that before acting, one must consider if their actions will yield pleasure over pain for the majority of people. In outlining the principle of utilitarianism, Bentham creates the theory of the good, which determines that happiness and pleasure should be regarded as good, whereas unhappiness and pain are bad. In order to determine whether pleasure or pain is maximized, there needs to be a way to measure them. Bentham determines that the six features to measure individual pleasures and pain are intensity, duration, certainty or uncertainty, distance in time,

If a person makes a false promise and chooses not to follow through with something, then that sets up the idea that all people will do the same. This would generate a universal law that giving a false promise under any circumstances is acceptable and even common. Kant makes the important note that the moral problem isn’t the consequences that will arise from making a false promise, but from the lack of respect in the action itself. Furthermore, “Kant will argue that when your action cannot be universalized, as in the case of a false promise, you are showing another person a lack of respect through your action,” (Wolff