Utilitarianism: The Greatest Happiness Principle By John Stuart Mill

What is a moral? A moral is the consideration between right and wrong and the goodness and badness of the human character. For more than two thousand years the question has been about the basis of morality. There are different ways to look at moral including the theory of Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism while it emphasizes the upside of life, it ignores the downsides of life. This way of decision making has a greater impact in life and morals than just the moral choices made in a Utilitarianism manner. Utilitarianism is defined as a theory based on the actions being right if they promote happiness and wrong if they do the opposite with happiness being defined as pleasure and the lack of pain, while the definition pleasure varies in quality and quantity. Utilitarianism is also known as the Greatest Happiness Principle. John Stuart Mill the author of these essays depicting utilitarianism argued that happiness is the main foundation for morality and it is the main desire people have in life and is the only reason rights exists. Mill also argued that a foundation is required for morality to have any significance (484-485). That all choices made should be about what causes the greatest amount of happiness in mind. An example to show the choice of a utilitarian is the choice of saving five people versus saving one by flipping a switch. The utilitarian would choose the five people. The reason for this is saving the five …show more content…
I believe that in life there is pain, loss, along with happiness, and so much more. Pain and loss are just as important in life as happiness. To feel the pain and losses of life just lets you enjoy the happier parts in life. All of these are a part of life and you cannot just ignore parts of life while enjoying one part, the best. In my belief, you have to experience the worst in life to be able to experience the best in