Liberty And Utilitarianism Samples for Students †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Theory of Liberty And Utilitarianism. Answer: The concept of utilitarianism is completely dependent on ethical and moral grounds, which states that every action providing happiness and maximize utility of available resources is the best action (Hayry, 2013). Hence, on the moral ground, if an individual has to sacrifice and that sacrifice provides happiness and welfare to a large section of population, then the action will be supported by the theory of utilitarianism. Peace, happiness and welfare discussed in this concept is not related to the physical or sensory pleasures but it is the philosophical moral feeling and an example of selflessness (Albee, 2014). This assignment will be talking about a case scenario and will discuss the theory of utilitarianism with respect to that scenario. The case scenario states that I am drifting in a Boat with 10 other survivors after a natural calamity occurred. The boat has the capacity of 20 people, however there are other 20 people who are still floating around the boat in Water which is shark infested. Hence, according to the theory of utilitarianism each of those 20 people should be saved and pulled up in the boat. However, that would lead the entire boat to drown due to overweight. Hence, in this critical situation theory of sacrifice under utilitarianism should be mentioned, as Sacrifice Of few people would lead happiness of others. According to the critic of the decision, it can be said that asking few people to jump off the boat and die needlessly is very objectionable however not doing that and taking everyone up in the boat would be morally repugnant (Mulgan, 2014). There are 10 people except me onboard currently including three old men, four children and three women and there are almost eight women, 6 children and 6 me n are drowning in water. Hence, in such situation, I will try to pull up all the kids and women in the lifeboat. However, this situation is also morally dilemmatic as according to the same utilitarianism theory, saving 10 lives out of 20 is offensive and in that drowning situation, nobody will in condition to think properly and psychologically to save the kids and women. Therefore, according to the rationale and repugnancy theory of utilitarianism, the young men drowning in water will not be pulled up in the lifeboat because the theory says that it is responsibility of the each individual to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the society (Frederiksen Nielsen, 2013). Furthermore, the greater good of society is in saving the women and children who has the capability to mold the shape of future. Therefore, the 14 children and women in water will be pulled up in the lifeboat. However, there will be a total 22 people including me on the boat. Therefore, I am the only one who can handle the boat; two old men will be asked to jump off the boat (Mulgan, 2013). According to the critics of the utilitarianism theory, this situation is also morally offensive as asking someone to sacrifice his/her life is against the right to live as each person on the earth possess the right to live freely. However, if such right is given to the old people on board, disastrous situation will occur and the entire boat will sink. Therefore asking those two old men to jump off the boat is a better alternate than opting for any non-utilitarianism theory (West, 2013). Hence, according to the above-mentioned case scenario, it was established that the theory of utilitarianism is completely dependent on the moral philosophy and is targeted to maximize the happiness related to worse situations in society. The solutions provided by this theory might seems repugnant and offensive to some extent however for the greater good of the society; this theory provides best alternatives than other theories. References Albee, E. (2014).A history of English utilitarianism(Vol. 1). 1st Edn, pp. 52-64, Routledge. Frederiksen, C. S., Nielsen, M. E. J. (2013). Utilitarianism and CSR. InEncyclopedia of corporate social responsibility(pp. 2643-2649). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Hayry, M. (2013).Liberal utilitarianism and applied ethics, 1st Edn, pp. 11-32, Routledge. Mulgan, T. (2014). Replies to Critics.Philosophy and Public Issues (New Series),4, 58-92. West, H. R. (2013). Utilitarianism.The international encyclopedia of ethics.(pp. 23-245). Wiley Online Library. DOI:10.1002/9781444367072.wbiee178