What is the utilitarian justification for concentrating on GDP per capita as the objective of development? Within the course of this research, we will concentrate on utilitarianism, in particular on the utilitarian justification for concentrating on GDP per capita as the objective of development. To better understand this argument, we will first elaborate on Utilitarianism in general, to be followed by the development of the argument and a case study of a situation that justifies concentrating on GDP per capita as the objective of development. The opinions of various experts in the area of this research will also be included. Utilitarianism is a theory of life, which is grounded on morals, which measures what is right and wrong. To examine what actions are deemed right or wrong, utilitarians use the greatest happiness principle. This principle expresses that the right action is the one that leads to best outcome by recognizing right as the promotion of pleasure over pain. Utilitarians believe that the right action will always either prevent pain or elevate pleasure. Pleasure for utilitarians does not just propose bodily pleasure, but pleasures of the whole being. They believe in order to live life morally, one must live to enhance pleasure and avert pain. This belief of Utilitarianism does not resonate with all people.
The opposers presume that the Utilitarianism Doctrine is worthy of pigs and other lowly animals. This implies that human beings are only capable of achieving pleasures as simply as pigs and animals do. This assumption is degrading to humans as well as very narrow- minded because it is based on a preconception on the meaning of the word pleasure. To prove how this is a one sided view of pleasure, we must first define pleasure as it relates to the utilitarian notion. Pleasure to utilitarians is what brings about total happiness. Mill believes (and his assessment is quite logical) that those who pursue sexual pleasure instead of intellectual pleasure do not sacrifice happiness because they are unable to achieve happiness intellectually. He also states that those of high pleasures fall victim to low pleasures because they are no longer capable of the other.
The Essay on Utilitarianism and Happiness John Stuart
A doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences; specifically : a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest number Ethical principle according to which an action is right if it tends to maximize happiness, not only ...
Mill states “what is there to decide whether a particular pleasure is worth purchasing at the cost of feelings and judgments of the experiences” (Mill, 916).
Some opponents of utilitarianism believe this statement to mean that one must experience both pleasures bodily, but this is not the case. Utilitarians believe that you must experience both pleasures, but this can be done by observance as well. It is difficult to believe that a utilitarian would think you had to experience multiple ways of dying to know which was the least painful. Obviously, this can only be done by observation. To clear up some of the previously mentioned misconceptions, we must go back to the greatest happiness principle.
In this principle, those in opposition fail to consider nobleness of character. The principle states that “the standard is not the agent’s own greatest happiness but the greatest amount of happiness altogether” (Mill, 916).
When a person acts nobly, he sacrifices some of his personal happiness. This is not inconsistent with Utilitarian Doctrine because he is doing so to promote the happiness or to diminish the pain of others for the greater good. The assumption of those who believe that utilitarians expect a world completely absent of pain is misguided. This presupposition can be clarified by two statements given by Mill; ” if by happiness be meant a continuity of highly pleasurable excitement, it is evident enough that this is impossible” and ” the happiness which they meant was not a life of rapture, but moments of such in existence made up of few and transitory pains, many and various pleasures with decided prominence with the active over the passive and having as the foundation of the whole, not to expect more from life than it is capable of bestowing” (Mill, 916-17).
The Essay on Greater happiness for a greater number
1. Major strengths and weaknesses of this goal. a. Major Strengths – I think that the definition of happiness presented in the lecture is simple and elegant. In addition, I think that the very attempt to address the issue of happiness is necessary and should really form the basis of psychology. b. Major Weaknesses – While I agree that psychology should have happiness as the optimal ...
Utilitarians believe those who experience pleasure on multiple levels obtain the greatest amount of happiness, thus being able to promote a greater amount of happiness. An example of this can once again be found in the nobleman who experiences happiness through self-sacrifice. “Self-sacrifice must be for some end, it is not its own end” (Mill, 918).
This means that one who experiences self-sacrifice does not do so to derive pain, but to achieve pleasure from the knowledge that his self-sacrifice has created pleasure for others. An example of this can be found in the feelings generated by gift giving. This is why utilitarians do not believe that a person can sacrifice their own greatest good for the good of others. Some oppose utilitarianism based upon their objection to its high standards, because they feel that they should be able to obtain their pleasure without regard to the pain they may cause others.
Although utilitarians believe that one’s pleasure should be obtained with a high standard of morals and a sense of duty, they do not believe that all acts of duty are just, especially those that infringe on morality. An example of this can be seen in cases where soldiers following orders from those in command are charged with war crimes, since they should have been aware that those actions were morally wrong. Utilitarians believe that by taking into consideration those around you when seeking happiness, you are benefiting not only those nearest you but also those further away from you. This is done when everyone acts to benefit each other. Those who oppose utilitarianism also feel that utilitarians are cold and unsympathetic. This is another misguided conception. Utilitarians feel that no person should be allowed to do something which wrong without consequence just because this person may normally abide by what is right. Utilitarians do not feel that a virtuous character alone is enough; they give all possessions and qualities their rightful acceptance.
The Essay on Affirmative Action America People Person
March 6, 1961 is the day that the American businesses changed for the benefit of the minority and women. President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order 10925, which creates the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and mandates that projects financed with federal funds "take affirmative action" to ensure that hiring and employment practices are free of racial bias. Affirmative action is a ...
They strongly believe in right and wrong and will not accept mental disposition, which has a tendency to promote bad conduct. For instance, if a child does something wrong, and the parents do not correct him, the parents are doing something wrong. Since he is a child, the parents should be teaching which actions are right and which are wrong. If this is not done, than the child will never learn. Utilitarian live by the motto, ‘It is not what you say but what you do.’ (Sen, p. 60) In other words, actions speak louder than words. Utilitarians judge you on each individual action and not on your actions as a whole.
Just because a person does many good things, you should not overlook the wrong that he may do. In some respect, you should give praise to a person who does right even if they have done much wrong in the past. This view is very logical in the sense that if you disregard the bad that good people do, you send a message that the wrongful act is acceptable. Another thing that those who oppose utilitarianism feel is that actions are taken without thought to consequence so they should not be held accountable for actions taken at this time. The utilitarians believe that a person should know from experience or learning that the actions they are taking wrong and that no thought into the matter is required. Utilitarians do not expect that someone has to take a specific or mandated action in regard to something that has never been experienced in the past.
They expect that one should learn from experience what actions are right and what actions are wrong. It would be absurd for someone to think that the utilitarian expects man to be born with total knowledge of everything. I would not suppose that they believe the first human inhabitants of earth knew everything we now know. That is why they view everything as a learning experience, a life experience as we call it. The utilitarian justification for concentrating on GDP per capita as the objective of development coincides with the utilitarian principle of the greatest good for the greatest number. (Sen, p.
The Essay on Affirmative Action Is Wrong
Affirmative action is wrong. Affirmative action was set up to improve the educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women. It is not fair to choose students of certain nationalities over others because the school is not diverse enough. Every student has a fair chance to get into college and it just so happens that certain nationalities are admitted into colleges more than others ...
157) Utilitarians believe that GDP per capita is the most valuable objective of development, since it shows how most of the people benefit from the economic development. The following situation that took place in Nigeria better helps to illustrate the point utilitarians make. We will first show how Rawl suggests utilitarianism could be improved, and then discuss the caser study itself. Rawl has a theory of justice called the “Fairness” theory. Rawl thinks that we should accept the equal liberty principle and the difference principle. Rawl fallows what is known as the five conditions that define original position. The first one is the people in the original position are self-interested in motivation. Second one is they are behind “the veil of ignorance”.
(Rawl, p. 28) Thirdly he states that they have unrestricted general knowledge of human beings and social life. His fourth one is they know that they must choose the basic principles of organization and evaluation for the fundamental institutions of their society. Lastly, Rawls fifth condition defines original position is people are to use the rule of maximin for choosing among the principles. Therefore, it appears that Rawl has an alternative criteria for judging societys well being. John Rawl proposed a theory that supports Kantian ethics while conflicting with utilitarianism. Rawl objects to utilitarianism because social distributions produced by maximizing pleasure could entail violations of basic individual liberties and rights that ought to be guaranteed. According to his theory, valid principles of justice are principles we would all agree to freely and impartially. Rawl says we have to look at situations from an “original position”, a position in which everyone is behind a “veil of ignorance”, whereby no one knows what position one will have in society.
(Rawl, p. 51) Therefore, you would not have any idea about your race, sex, IQ, family background, station in society, talents, or anything else compared to others. Rawl says if this were the case we would all agree to two rules. First, each person is ….
The Term Paper on Nursing Theories
Introduction Theories are a set of interrelated concepts that give a systematic view of a phenomenon (an observable fact or event) that is explanatory & predictive in nature. Theories are composed of concepts, definitions, models, propositions & are based on assumptions. They are derived through two principal methods; deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning. Objectives to assess the ...
