Chapter 2- Normative ethical theories

Normative theories of ethics or moral theories are meant to help

us figure out what actions are right and wrong.

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a very simple view that matches common sense

right and wrong can be determined by a cost-benefit analysis. We
must consider all the good and bad consequences when deciding if
an action is right.

An action will then be said to be right as long as it satisfactorily causes

good consequences compared to alternative actions, and it will be wrong if
it doesnt.

Utilitarianism doesnt discriminate or encourage egoism. It is wrong

to harm others to benefit yourself because everyone counts.

Applying Utilitarianism

Killing people Killing people is usually wrong either because people have value
(and they might not exist after dying), because everyone has a desire to stay alive, or
because killing people makes other people unhappy.

Stealing Stealing is usually wrong because it makes people unhappy to lose their
possessions, they might need their possessions to accomplish certain important goals,
and because the right to property makes it possible for us to make long term goals
involving our possessions.

Objections

1. Consequences might not be enough. Utilitarianism requires us to do

whatever promotes the good the most, but that could require us to be
disrespectful or even harm certain people. For example, if we kill someone to
donate their organs and save five lives, then it seems like our action
maximized the good and wasnt wrong. This result is counterintitive and its
suggests that utilitarianism is incomplete because we might have rights that
must not be violated, even to maximize the good.

https://ethicalrealism.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/ethical-theories/