Ethical Decisions

Notes

In Module 3, we will explore utility ethics which is also referred to as utilitarian ethics or consequentialist ethics. Utility ethics is the theory that “an action is morally right if and only if it produces at least as much good (utility) for all people affected by the action as any alternative action the person could do instead” (Audi, 1999, p. 824). Think of utility ethics in terms of “utility”—that is, in terms of the benefit of the outcomes derived from a given action. Utility theory is largely concerned with the end result, with doing the “greatest good” for the largest numbers of persons.

Utility ethics is criticized as being “the ends justify the means.” This is because utility ethics is concerned with the outcome of a decision or action rather than whether or not the action is ethical in itself. Would you lie to avoid hurting your friend’s feelings, or is lying always wrong? Is it wrong to kill one person to save two other lives? Under utility ethics you examine these dilemmas strictly by looking at the consequences of these types of action and not whether it is wrong to lie or wrong to kill.

Reference:

Audi, R. (Ed.). (1995). The Cambridge dictionary of philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.