Morgan Stanley's The Parable Of The Sadhu

Utilitarianism meaning is that is “Action are right to the degree that they tend to promote the greatest good for the greatest number.” (Mill) Basic understanding of the Ethical theory of Utilitarianism means that if acted accurately and get joy doing it; then it is the right way, but it must ensure happiness for all, not just one. “It asserts that an action is right if and only if it brings about at least as much net happiness as any other action the agent could have performed; otherwise the action is wrong.” (Sanchez, 2) Utilitarianism is all about bringing out the best possible outcome from the action; it is not just about happiness, if the outcome is negative then there is no joy. “Utilitarian are interested, not just in the positive …show more content…
The article was written by Bowen H. McCoy, who was part of an expedition of climbing Himalayas 12,000 feet vertically to reach to their destination called: muklinath. Mulkinath is a place for all the holy worshippers. The hikers came from around the world; they had been hiking for over 30 days until they met New Zealand hikers. Once the hikers had reached their resting place; for the day at 15,000 feet high, While McCoy and anthropologist Stephen was resting, the New Zealand hikers bring a Sadhu to the team. The team had to help sadhu because he was suffering from hyperthermia and was naked. As a team, they decided to help sadhu in whatever way they can. Being a steep place, it was very challenging for the team as well to help him. However, the team gave sadhu clothes, food, and water. Consequently, the team’s goal was to reach their mission which was to go to pilgrimage place; they were worried they might not reach their goal after helping sadhu. The team did everything it possible to help sadhu, by providing him the basic needs. However, McCoy’s partner Stephen thought it that it would have been better if they had taken sadhu to the village, but the team decided to not to. The decision that the team made shows that they only wanted happiness for themselves, but not for the sadhu even after providing him clothes and …show more content…
Finally, utilitarianism is a maximizing doctrine because it states that the right action is that which produces the greatest amount of happiness that the agent can produce. (Sanchez 4) Here, by analyzing the case, it feels that the hikers only wanted happiness for themselves which was to reach their mission to the pilgrimage. The hikers were ethically wrong; the greatest good have in this case too was carry the sadhu back to the village, which could have given long-term happiness to the hikers and the sadhu. The hikers only cared for themselves, if they were put in the same situation as the sadhu, someone would have taken them to a safe