Act Utilitarianism
Definition
Act Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that states an action is morally right if it produces the best possible results in a specific situation. It is a form of consequentialism focused on maximizing happiness or pleasure1.
Key Concepts
- Principle of utility: The rightness of an action is determined by its contribution to overall happiness or pleasure.
- Situational Analysis: Each action is evaluated based on its own merits and the specific context in which it occurs.
Classical Proponents
- Jeremy Bentham: Introduced the idea of the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
- John Stuart Mill: Refined Bentham’s ideas and emphasized qualitative differences in pleasures.
Criticisms
- May lead to morally questionable actions if they result in greater overall happiness.
- Difficult to predict all consequences of an action1.
Comparison with Rule Utilitarianism
- Rule Utilitarianism: Morally right actions are those that conform to rules that, if followed by everyone, would lead to the greatest good1.