act utilitarianism definition
1 results-based ethics is only interested in the consequences of an act. 2  the intentions of the person doing the act are irrelevant. 3  so an act with good results done by someone who intended harm is as good as if it was done by someone who intended to do good. The classic form of results-based ethics is called utilitarianism. This says that the ethically right choice in a given situation is the one that produces the most happiness and the least unhappiness for the largest number of people. A plausible formulation of rule-utilitarianism would thus have it recommend the same actions as act-utilitarianism. The two kinds are extensionally equivalent and the only stable rule available to the rule-utilitarian is the act-utilitarian one, e.g. to maximise the benefit of your actions. the philosophical tenets set forth by John Stuart Mill based on the principle of “the greatest good for the greatest number” and holding that the criterion of virtue lies in its utility. — utilitarian, n., adj. Rule consequentialism bases moral rules on their consequences. This removes many of the problems of act consequentialism. Rule consequentialism teaches: 1  Whether acts are good or bad depends on moral rules. 2  Moral rules are chosen solely on the basis of their consequences. The ethical theory of utilitarianism, the idea that we have to maximise the amount of utility, i.e. the maximise the amount of good in the world. In this short essay two types of utilitarianism are discussed. Consequentialism. Consequentialism says that right or wrong depend on the consequences of an act, and that the more good consequences are produced, the better the act. Evaluating each decision would take too long. utilitarianism. the ethical doctrine that virtue is based upon utility and that behavior should have as its goal the procurement of the greatest happiness for the greatest number of persons. — utilitarian, n., adj. utilitarianism. n. 1. (Philosophy) the doctrine that the morally correct course of action consists in the greatest good for the greatest number, that is, in maximizing the total benefit resulting, without regard to the distribution of benefits and burdens. 2. (Philosophy) the theory that the criterion of virtue is utility. Rule-utilitarianism. Rule-utilitarianism is a reaction to that objection. The principle of utility in rule-utilitarianism is to follow those rules which will result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people. In the example above, the general rule would be: ‘share your wealth’.
The doctrine that the morally correct course of action consists in the greatest good for the greatest number, that is, in maximizing the total benefit resulting, without regard to the distribution of benefits and burdens.