If something makes you happy, does that mean that it is the best action? In the theory of Utilitarianism, there are two "creators," Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. They put forth the idea that actions are right only if they increase happiness, and are wrong if they result in unhappiness. In this essay, we explore the theory of Utility, and then understand the theory through Plato’s two challenges, whether an action is good beyond what a group or individual in authority claims, as well as if the theory shows why it is better to be moral. Then, I will explain why happiness is a valid way to measure the morality of an action, by first stating examples of why it is not. This essay means to promote the utility theory by explaining how happiness
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For example, if I was an artist selling my art, I could sell a painting for $20 or another painting for $100. According to Bentham 's principle of Utility, selling either painting would bring me some type of happiness, so it does not matter which one. However, in Mill 's Greatest Happiness principle, selling a painting for $100 is more morally correct for it is the preferred outcome, therefore more likely to bring me greater pleasure. He also claims that because desirable ends are things that cannot be given proof, and happiness and pleasure are desirable ends, no proof can be given for the …show more content…
In my opinion, there seem to be many other factors to consider, such as the reason for the individual’s happiness, as well as what result the action will bring, and how it will affect the greater good of the people. Looking at the Holocaust example in the previous paragraph, the community that happiness is produced for matters as well. There can be many different reasons for happiness from different people happy. Something that makes person A happy can make person B very
For example, if I was an artist selling my art, I could sell a painting for $20 or another painting for $100. According to Bentham 's principle of Utility, selling either painting would bring me some type of happiness, so it does not matter which one. However, in Mill 's Greatest Happiness principle, selling a painting for $100 is more morally correct for it is the preferred outcome, therefore more likely to bring me greater pleasure. He also claims that because desirable ends are things that cannot be given proof, and happiness and pleasure are desirable ends, no proof can be given for the …show more content…
In my opinion, there seem to be many other factors to consider, such as the reason for the individual’s happiness, as well as what result the action will bring, and how it will affect the greater good of the people. Looking at the Holocaust example in the previous paragraph, the community that happiness is produced for matters as well. There can be many different reasons for happiness from different people happy. Something that makes person A happy can make person B very