Bioethics: The Utilitarian Theory

Bioethics Essay Utilitarian Theory reflects consequentialism which is “a label affixed to theories holding that actions are right or wrong to balance of their good and bad consequences” (354). The general meaning for utilitarian is, the greatest good for the greatest number. In other words, “The right act in any circumstance is the act that produces the best overall result as determined by the theory’s account of value” (354). What matters is that you are getting the most out of your action. Even though what might happen after your action could be extreme, as long as it is benefiting the majority. Utilitarianism rejects moral codes or systems that are based on traditions, customs or beliefs. Instead, they believe in moral actions that can be justified based on how they contribute to human beings in a positive way. We look at overall pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction.
There is a rule and act variation to this theory. “The rule utilitarian considers the consequences of adopting certain rules, whereas the act utilitarian disregards …show more content…
In this case even though the father has the right of his own kidney, his 5 year old daughter is in need of one. To give his daughter the best chance of survival and the chance of a normal life, he needs to set his own feelings aside and stop being selfish. I could not promote this theory in biomedical due to the fact that you cannot force people to do anything they do not wish to do. Everyone has the right over their own body and everything inside of it. In medical, you cannot force a jehovah's witness to get a blood transfusion because it would save their life due to their religion and how they are morally against it. A utilitarian would give them the blood transfusion anyways because if they did not have to die then we would not let them. After the fact they would most definitely sue the hospital because we did not respect their rights and