The ethical principle of acting for “the greater good” has its origins in Utilitarianism, a philosophical theory which states that an action is right if it benefits the majority in a given situation. Several realist skeptics of the theory however believe that for the greater good, one must do a little wrong. These individuals assume that any action done in the interest of the majority must be accompanied by a slightly immoral or unjust deed. This essay will discuss how this belief is invalid through an analysis of the Economical, Political and Social definitions of “the greater good” as well as their appropriate case examples where no wrongdoings were perpetrated.
On a global scale, the Economical greater good refers to a venture typically …show more content…
These acts would normally enhance the wellbeing of the public and ensure widespread equality. Canada’s Universal Healthcare has been touted as a means of allowing everyone in a country access to basic medical services, medicines and technologies, signifying that those who live in poverty are assured the same standard of care as any high-income individual (Formosa, Government). In spite of this, critics of the system suggest that due to the taxes required for a Universal Healthcare system to be in place, any increase in taxes would lead to inadequate income for the poor, thus robbing the poor of money which can be used to purchase necessities. On the contrary, the greatest worry faced by low-income households is the exorbitant cost of healthcare services, especially for the elderly. In fact, 62% of all United States bankruptcies were caused by extortionate medical expenses (Formosa). Undeniably, Obamacare has attempted to help uninsured Americans buy lower-cost or free high-quality health insurance. Unfortunately for low-income households who barely miss the requirements for cost assistance however, healthcare coverage remains costly. Since most Americans still do not receive free healthcare, the average American’s annual health expenditure is $9,523, while for those 65 and older, the number rises to an alarming …show more content…
Martyrdom has been considered by many to be the epitome of doing something for the greater good, where a person sacrifices life itself for the sake of principle (Merriam-Webster). During the Beirut Bombing of 2015, Adel Termos, a husband and father of two, forced a suicide bomber to detonate his explosive belt. Subsequently, Termos was killed on impact but is now thought to have saved dozens of lives due to his bravery. One may bring forth the assumption that because he left his wife a widow, his children fatherless and his family void of more financial support that this act could possibly be seen as somewhat wrong. However, Termos’ family was not devastated by his death, his wife and children calling him a “martyr”, and only the burden of emotional pain was inflicted on them (Guardian). In addition, in Termos’ religion of Shia Islam, self-sacrifice is seen as a merit, an act that would guarantee a reward of an afterlife with their God, and is thus definitely not seen as immoral (Hussein). In conclusion, it should be said that in the case of Adel Termos, with the social greater good of preventing the deaths of dozens, no unjust or wrongful acts were carried through. Thus, for the Social greater good, it is possible that no wrong has to have been
On a global scale, the Economical greater good refers to a venture typically …show more content…
These acts would normally enhance the wellbeing of the public and ensure widespread equality. Canada’s Universal Healthcare has been touted as a means of allowing everyone in a country access to basic medical services, medicines and technologies, signifying that those who live in poverty are assured the same standard of care as any high-income individual (Formosa, Government). In spite of this, critics of the system suggest that due to the taxes required for a Universal Healthcare system to be in place, any increase in taxes would lead to inadequate income for the poor, thus robbing the poor of money which can be used to purchase necessities. On the contrary, the greatest worry faced by low-income households is the exorbitant cost of healthcare services, especially for the elderly. In fact, 62% of all United States bankruptcies were caused by extortionate medical expenses (Formosa). Undeniably, Obamacare has attempted to help uninsured Americans buy lower-cost or free high-quality health insurance. Unfortunately for low-income households who barely miss the requirements for cost assistance however, healthcare coverage remains costly. Since most Americans still do not receive free healthcare, the average American’s annual health expenditure is $9,523, while for those 65 and older, the number rises to an alarming …show more content…
Martyrdom has been considered by many to be the epitome of doing something for the greater good, where a person sacrifices life itself for the sake of principle (Merriam-Webster). During the Beirut Bombing of 2015, Adel Termos, a husband and father of two, forced a suicide bomber to detonate his explosive belt. Subsequently, Termos was killed on impact but is now thought to have saved dozens of lives due to his bravery. One may bring forth the assumption that because he left his wife a widow, his children fatherless and his family void of more financial support that this act could possibly be seen as somewhat wrong. However, Termos’ family was not devastated by his death, his wife and children calling him a “martyr”, and only the burden of emotional pain was inflicted on them (Guardian). In addition, in Termos’ religion of Shia Islam, self-sacrifice is seen as a merit, an act that would guarantee a reward of an afterlife with their God, and is thus definitely not seen as immoral (Hussein). In conclusion, it should be said that in the case of Adel Termos, with the social greater good of preventing the deaths of dozens, no unjust or wrongful acts were carried through. Thus, for the Social greater good, it is possible that no wrong has to have been