Stuart Price

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on the end outcomes (O’Brien). Greek philosophers defined what is ethical as that which creates the greatest balance of pleasure over pain, in other words the greatest good for the greatest number. In business, utilitarianism is usually the most frequent approach to moral reasoning because of the way it considers for cost. Utilitarianism only considers the consequences of an action and in this case utilitarianism…

In this paper, I will argue that people who should be considered to be altruistic are those who act magnanimously to those outside of their family or general social group. I will use examples such as kin selection, animal altruism, and arguments against psychological egoism to assist in proving my thesis to be true. I will also address a counter argument made by some psychological egoists who believe that due to most people feeling pleasure while doing good things for others, that there are no…

John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism provides the reader with a meaning behind the value of utilitarianism as a moral theory. Mill defines the utilitarianism theory as one that state's “actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness” (p. 90). Many utilitarians look at utility as pleasure, with the absence of pain. He presents utilitarianism as a view that utilitarians perceive to be the morally right action is the action…

This brief exchange epitomizes the difference between Roark and Toohey, between selfishness and selflessness, between egoism and altruism, between individualism and collectivism. More importantly, Roark’s simple, but powerful, answer demonstrates why selfishness is a virtue and selflessness a vice; why one represents moral integrity, and the other moral turpitude. Roark’s reply reflects his moral and intellectual independence- he is not defined by what others think- and therein lies the source…

Righteous. What does it mean to be righteous? The definition of righteous is to be morally right or justifiable, but is that the only definition? How do we know if someone has the quality of righteousness? It all depends on one’s opinion of what they believe is righteous through their own morals and beliefs. Bilbo demonstrates righteousness on multiple occasions through the book. He takes some reasonable and just actions at times and there are other moments where you could question his…

Ethical egoism states that one should do things that benefit in their own interest. Some key features of ethical egoism are ethical subjectivism, Naïve Ethical egoism, and enlightened ethical egoism. This theory claims that we should act from self-love. However, Egoists have different views about what is good for the individual depending on the situation. In “Don’t Help Me” Kevin is confused about what steps he should take to help his friend, so I am going to advise him based on ethical egoism…

Humanism It is about methodology of values and beliefs that is based on the idea that people are basically good and that problems can be solved using reason instead of religion. Humanism is a philosophy in a form of science and inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual…

Utilitarianism is centered around the idea that the right action is the one that promotes the most utility, otherwise known as happiness. Because of this, utilitarianism is grounded in the foundational value of happiness. All instrumental values derive their worth from foundational values; therefore, anything that promotes happiness is valuable. Foundational values can explain other prescriptive claims or value claims. Under utilitarianism, any claims that are correctly made are those that are…

Thorstein Veblen was one of the first eighteenth-century economist to disagree with mercantilist fallacies. Veblen focused on human behavior and its value unlike classical economists, who claimed that humans behave in accordance to their nature as rational utility maximizers only, basically degrading the human being to pleasure and pain calculators. He realized that if humans really did act on a purely utility maximizing basis, the existence of culture and institutions, which shape human…

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory created by Jeremy Bentham and later developed by John Stuart Mill. The theory aims to provide the greatest well-being for the most people both individually and through a governments rule. To do this we must access the consequences of the action one is about to undertake and how that action will affect ourselves and those around us who may depend on us. Utilitarianism is often compared to deontological theories such as Kant’s theory of morality as that…