LSSC Philosophy Do the Ends Justify the Means Discussion

/in /by

LSSC Philosophy Do the Ends Justify the Means Discussion

Question Description

I’m working on a philosophy discussion question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.

 

Answer ONE of the following Discussion Prompts:

Option A: In your own words, how does (act) utilitarianism differ from ethical egoism? Which do you think is more plausible and why? Make sure you begin by briefly summarizing both of these ethical systems. Can you apply both to an ethical situation to illustrate how they would each decide the morality of that situation?

Option B: Utilitarians think that some humans are morally equal to some animals. In your own words, what exactly do they mean by this, and how do they argue for it? Support your summary with quotation from the readings. Do you agree with them? Why or why not?

Option C: In your own words, how do utilitarians reply to the thought that certain kinds of actions are intrinsically immoral? Support your summary with quotation from the readings. Do you find their replies convincing? Why or why not?

 

Unformatted Attachment Preview

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ETHICS CHAPTER 9 Consequen -tialism: Its Nature and Attractions CONSEQUENTIALISM ⚫ Consequentialism states: ⚫ ⚫ Acts are morally right just because they maximize the amount of goodness in the world. The act that yields the greatest balance of benefits over drawbacks is the optimific action. DETERMINING THE RIGHT ACTION ⚫ How to apply consequentialist reasoning: 1. Identify what is intrinsically good. 2. Identify what is intrinsically bad. 3. Determine all of your options. 4. For each option, determine the value of its results. 5. Perform the action that yields the greatest net balance of good over bad. ACT UTILITARIANISM ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ Act utilitarianism is the most prominent version of consequentialism. According to act utilitarianism, there is one ultimate moral standard: the principle of utility. The principle of utility