"Coursework.Info has provided an invaluable site for both myself and my students."
What are the Main Features of Utilitarianism as an Ethical Theory?
- Art & Design (334 Essays)
-
Biology
(3,084 Essays)
-
Business Studies
(3,029 Essays)
-
Chemistry
(569 Essays)
- Classics (349 Essays)
- Computer Science (522 Essays)
- Design and Technology (139 Essays)
-
Drama
(1,693 Essays)
-
Economics
(919 Essays)
-
English Language
(824 Essays)
-
English Literature
(7,375 Essays)
- General Studies (81 Essays)
-
Geography
(2,527 Essays)
- Healthcare (1,022 Essays)
-
History
(5,797 Essays)
-
Information & Communication Technology
(566 Essays)
-
Law
(891 Essays)
-
Maths
(414 Essays)
-
Media Studies
(2,984 Essays)
- Miscellaneous (174 Essays)
-
Modern Foreign Languages
(609 Essays)
- Music (324 Essays)
-
Physical Education (Sport & Coaching)
(1,360 Essays)
-
Physics
(1,043 Essays)
-
Politics
(1,919 Essays)
-
Psychology
(2,673 Essays)
-
Religious Studies & Philosophy
(1,251 Essays)
- Buddhism (30 Essays)
- Christianity (228 Essays)
- Hinduism (34 Essays)
- Islam (152 Essays)
- Judaism (58 Essays)
-
Philosophy & Ethics
(749 Essays)
-
Ethics and Morality
(336 Essays)
- Practical Questions (336 Essays)
- Philosophy (413 Essays)
-
-
Sociology
(1,340 Essays)
- Words:
- 2585
- Submitted:
- Thu Jul 11 2002
... What are the Main Features of Utilitarianism as an Ethical Theory? Utilitarianism: 'A moral theory according to which an action is right only if it conforms to the principle of utility' (www.utilitarianism.com) Utilitarianism is a moral theory of usefulness, which comes from the Latin word 'utilis' meaning useful. It is primarily concerned with the greatest good for the greatest number and because of this, reflects the wants and desires of society. It is concerned with good outcomes not good intentions, as no action is intrinsically good. Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory and in the 1960's, utilitarianism was the term commonly used for consequentialism, and that use of utilitarianism remains today, but many people now use the term utilitarianism to designate a kind of consequentialism. Because of this, the greatest good is relative to the situation in hand. To obtain the greatest good for the greatest number one has to
User Reviews of this Essay
What our users think of this essay:
Other Similar Coursework
Not found exactly what you were looking for? Here are some essays which are similar to this one:
| Title | Members Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Abosolute and Relative morality |
|
Read a preview → |
| Can moral absolutism be justified? |
|
Read a preview → |
| Explain why there maybe problems about the meaning of ethical language |
|
Read a preview → |
| Explain the distinguishing features of a deontological ethical theory. |
|
Read a preview → |
| Explain What Is Meant By Situation Ethics. |
|
Read a preview → |
| Utilitarianism |
|
Read a preview → |
| Morals codes distinguish between order and chaos and good and evil. |
|
Read a preview → |
| Business Ethics |
|
Read a preview → |
| Religion and Morality Essay |
|
Read a preview → |
| Abosolute and Relative morality |
|
Read a preview → |
Most Popular Practical Questions Essays
Want to know what everybody else is looking at? Here are some essays that have been the most popular choices of our Practical Questions essays:
| Title | Members Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Assess Aristotle's Contention that it is impossible to separate one's emotions from one's reason |
|
Read a preview → |
| Assess the strengths and weaknesses of a utilitarian argument for the abolition of the death penalty |
|
Read a preview → |
| Compare and contrast the ethical theories od Natural Law and Situation Ethics. |
|
Read a preview → |
| How do we know, if at all, that our behavior is ethical? |
|
Read a preview → |
Most Recent Practical Questions Essays
Looking for the most up to date essays? Here are some of the most recently added essays in our Practical Questions category:
| Title | Members Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Discussion of abortion |
|
Read a preview → |
| Absolutism is a more useful tool to make moral decisions than relativism. Discuss. |
|
Read a preview → |
| Explain the difference between moral relativism and cultural relativism |
|
Read a preview → |
| Explain Anselm ontological argument |
|
Read a preview → |
