Utilitarianism- Journal Questions (Formative Assessment)
1a) What are the strengths of Utilitarianism?
1b) Utilitarianism has several limitations. Identify two limitations and suggest improvements to Utilitarianism that enable it to avoid these limitations.
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory: it holds that we ought to act in whatever way has the best consequences (i.e. the greatest "utility"). For most utilitarians, this means maximising the good and minimising the bad. Utilitarianism works on the fundamental assumption that we should always try to make as many people as possible as happy as possible (The Greatest Happiness Principle). Despite sometimes being unable to account for such fundamental moral concept as justice, rights, or freedom, Utilitarianism does have its strengths.
Firstly, Utilitarianism is an objective theory: it is a practical method for calculating how one should act regardless of personal confusion. If one has a difficult decision to make,......
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