Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that is commonly associated with the saying “the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people” (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, its duration, the probability of it happening, its nearness or remoteness from an agent in time and its effect
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Indirect utilitarianism is a less demanding approach to utilitarianism but also follows the idea of greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Mill’s theory states that one must live by a set of rules, and this set of rules, if followed by everyone, would result in the greatest amount of happiness. These rules can either be derived from simple common sense, or from a person who is identified as wise and would likely to have a string following. Indirect utilitarianism is more broadly focused and less rigid than direct utilitarianism. indirect utilitarianism states you must follow your set of rules unless there is an emergency (page 90). An example of this is rolling through a red light, using direct utilitarianism one would never be allowed to go through a red light, unless there is an emergency such as a firetruck going to stop a fire.
Direct utilitarianism is focused on specific acts, and how those acts will affect people’s happiness. One example of this is a sports match: if the majority of people watching or playing the match would gain more pleasure from a referee breaking a rule, breaking that rule would be in accordance with direct utilitarianism. However, this is not the case for indirect utilitarianism, as the referee must be completely consistent with the set rules of the game, unless s there is an emergency in which case he could cancel …show more content…
Within indirect utilitarianism one must live by a certain set of rules, which would lead to the greatest amount of happiness if everyone followed them. If adultery was within this set of rules it would not cause the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Ralph tries to justify his actions by stating that if no one found out, everyone would be happy. However, if everyone lived by a set of rules where adultery was encouraged, everyone would be aware of the distinct possibility that their partner might be unfaithful to them. This would lead to extremely possessive and anxious partners, and would create an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust; which would not result in more happiness. Ralph has aspects of utilitarianism in his justification, but his argument is not consistent with either direct or indirect
Indirect utilitarianism is a less demanding approach to utilitarianism but also follows the idea of greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Mill’s theory states that one must live by a set of rules, and this set of rules, if followed by everyone, would result in the greatest amount of happiness. These rules can either be derived from simple common sense, or from a person who is identified as wise and would likely to have a string following. Indirect utilitarianism is more broadly focused and less rigid than direct utilitarianism. indirect utilitarianism states you must follow your set of rules unless there is an emergency (page 90). An example of this is rolling through a red light, using direct utilitarianism one would never be allowed to go through a red light, unless there is an emergency such as a firetruck going to stop a fire.
Direct utilitarianism is focused on specific acts, and how those acts will affect people’s happiness. One example of this is a sports match: if the majority of people watching or playing the match would gain more pleasure from a referee breaking a rule, breaking that rule would be in accordance with direct utilitarianism. However, this is not the case for indirect utilitarianism, as the referee must be completely consistent with the set rules of the game, unless s there is an emergency in which case he could cancel …show more content…
Within indirect utilitarianism one must live by a certain set of rules, which would lead to the greatest amount of happiness if everyone followed them. If adultery was within this set of rules it would not cause the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Ralph tries to justify his actions by stating that if no one found out, everyone would be happy. However, if everyone lived by a set of rules where adultery was encouraged, everyone would be aware of the distinct possibility that their partner might be unfaithful to them. This would lead to extremely possessive and anxious partners, and would create an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust; which would not result in more happiness. Ralph has aspects of utilitarianism in his justification, but his argument is not consistent with either direct or indirect