The most critical perspective of the ethical issues raised by this case study comes from animal rights. This perspective sit in direct contrast with utilitarianism, in fact Jeremy Bentham, known as the founder of modern utilitarianism said, "We deprive animals of life, this is justifiable; their pains do not equal our enjoyments” (Salt, 1894). Animal rights is a perspective that values the rights and freedoms of animals and sees fundamental wrongs in the use of animals as a resource whether that…
following quote: "It is better (happier) to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied." Mill’s quality driven hedonistic views differs from the classic utilitarianism ideals of Jeremy Bentham who only sought to maximize the quantity of pleasure. I agree with Mill in his writings because he believes that a higher and lower pleasure can only be decided by someone who has experiences both pleasures in person. A pig that is oblivious…
(Blackburn page 82). However, there are two contrasting theories within utilitarianism: Bentham’s direct utilitarianism and Mill’s indirect utilitarianism. Direct utilitarianism (otherwise known as act utilitarianism) is a theory that was contrived by Jeremy Bentham. Direct utilitarianism incorporates the idea that the amount of pain or pleasure that will result from a certain act can be mathematically calculated by adding up certain factors. These factors include the act’s subjective intensity,…
In this essay, I shall be discussing what constitutes the philosophical doctrine of utilitarianism while outlining the two key aspects central to it; the hedonistic principle, and the consequentialist principle. According to hedonism, pleasure or happiness is considered to be the only intrinsic ‘good’. On the other hand, consequentialism maintains that an action may be considered good or bad depending on its outcomes. We will see how these two principles work together in utilitarian thinking…
Utilitarianism is an influential moral theory that whether the actions of a person or government are right or wrong will depend on the effect of the action for the results it produces. There are act utilitarians, which take the actions, laws or policies of individual actions into consideration whereas rule utilitarian concentrate on the outcome of types of actions, such as stealing or taking a life. Utilitarians are of the belief system that the purpose of ethics and morality is to increase…
abnormal beings, as well as bringing into play the disciplinary mechanisms created by fear. All modern mechanisms for controlling abnormal individuals derive from these. Sao Foucault’s overall thoughts on this concept maybe similar to that of the Jeremy Bentham's Panopticon, a building with a tower at the center from which it is possible to see each cell in which a prisoner is incarcerated. Visibility being the trap in this setting each individual is seen but cannot communicate with the warders…
In the film, Extreme Measures, Dr. Myrick experiments on several human subjects in order to reach the goal that no scientist or doctor has ever accomplished: to cure paralysis. Under the Utilitarianism of both Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill the experimental procedures performed by Dr. Myrick are justifiably Utilitarian. The fundamental foundation of the reasoning behind Utilitarianism is the maximization of happiness for the most amount of people, also known as the Principle of Utility. The…
Sociologist Michael Foucault argues that the existence of power is everywhere, and it influences society and how individuals behave (Mason 2016). He uses his interpretation of Jeremy Bentham’s concept of the Panopticon, to explain this phenomenon. Bentham defines the Panopticon as a circular pillar structure in the center of a prison that is used for the surveillance of prisoners. However, though it can be seen by everyone occupying the building, no one is aware of who occupies the interior; but…
The word “Utilitarianism" was first used by British philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) in An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation in 1781. His utilitarianism was based on three points: pain and happiness, utility, and consequentialism. Bentham believed that pain and pleasure of a certain behavior is the only criterion for judging good and evil. Pleasure means good, pain means evil; pursuing happiness and avoid suffering were human nature. Based on this, he proposed a…
One of the most critical concerns of the current modern world is the topic on the rights of gays and in particular the rights of gay marriage. We see in nations such as Russia and India where sexual intercourse is punishable by imprisonment and death which completely goes against tolerant beliefs. The United States as of recently, the US Supreme Court made gay marriage legal in all fifty states as of June 26, 2015. It is not a surprise that this event occurred because there has been an expanding…