utilitarianism is helpful making moral decisions

Question 1

utilitarianism is helpful making moral decisions

Answer 1

Utilitarianism (particularly Bentham’s version) is relatively straightforward in the sense that the key idea is not difficult to understand or apply.

Question 2

utilitarianism is helpful making moral decisions

Answer 2

It is difficult to object to the basic principle that happiness is a good thing. We would not find many people, if any, who would sincerely argue that they do not want to be happy. This suggests that utilitarianism at least has a good aim.

Question 3

utilitarianism is helpful making moral decisions

Answer 3

Utilitarianism is a secular ethical theory and does not rely on God or other metaphysical ideas that cannot be proved in order to justify its decisions.

Question 4

utilitarianism is helpful making moral decisions

Answer 4

Utilitarianism is democratic in that everyone counts equally regardless of whom they are; each person’s potential pains or pleasures are to be considered. Additionally, the theory requires that we are impartial in our decision-making and do not count those nearer to us, such as our family, as more significant than a stranger.