Choose One: Enlightened Self-Interest Utilitarianism Economi

Choose One: Enlightened Self‐Interest Utilitarianism Economics and Self‐Interest Altruism Be

This assignment should be approximately one page in length and written in essay format (APA style). Please avoid formatting any of the writing assignments this term in a question and answer format. Remember, this course requires college-level writing. Properly documented research is required, as well. For additional help with APA format and documentation, please see the APA LibGuide under Course Information.

Please choose one of the moral philosophies in your text for this unit and apply it to an example from our modern world. Choose One: Enlightened Self‐Interest, Utilitarianism, Economics and Self‐Interest, or Altruism. Be sure to clearly identify the philosophy you have chosen and the philosopher behind the focus area. (For example: Utilitarianism has two primary philosophers, so you would need to identify and define the philosophy of the one chosen.) Define the philosophy. Be sure to try to explain it in your own words and only use direct quotes to further support your explanation. Finally, explain how it relates to your example, citing all resources (including the textbook). Please avoid discussing morality as being based entirely on “good vs. bad” choices, as this definition is too general and will not meet the requirements of this assignment. Your understanding of the philosophy you choose and how it connects to your examples are essential to the assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected moral philosophy for this analysis is Utilitarianism, a normative ethical theory that evaluates actions based on their consequences in terms of overall happiness or well-being. Developed primarily by Jeremy Bentham and later refined by John Stuart Mill, utilitarianism posits that an action is morally right if it produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Essentially, it emphasizes the outcomes of actions rather than intentions or intrinsic moral values.

Jeremy Bentham, often regarded as the founder of utilitarianism, articulated a version of the philosophy grounded in hedonism—the idea that pleasure is the only inherent good—while minimizing pain. Bentham's principle can be summarized by the phrase "the greatest happiness for the greatest number," which serves as the core criterion for moral decision-making (Bentham, 1789). John Stuart Mill expanded on Bentham’s ideas, emphasizing quality of pleasures and advocating for individual liberty as a means to maximize happiness while protecting minority rights (Mill, 1863). In my own words, utilitarianism suggests that if an action results in more pleasure or happiness than pain for all affected, then that action is morally permissible or desirable.

To illustrate this philosophy in a modern context, consider the ongoing debate about vaccination mandates during a public health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilitarianism would evaluate such mandates by weighing the overall benefits—reducing transmission, preventing hospitalization and death, and fostering societal stability—against potential drawbacks such as individual discomfort or freedom restrictions. From a utilitarian perspective, mandatory vaccinations are justified if they lead to the greatest overall well-being of the community, even if some individuals experience inconvenience or risk (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2021). This approach underscores that public health policies should aim to maximize societal health and happiness, aligning with utilitarian principles.

In conclusion, utilitarianism as a moral philosophy emphasizes the importance of outcomes that promote the maximum happiness for the greatest number. Its application to modern issues like public health measures demonstrates its relevance in guiding ethical decision-making in complex situations where balancing individual rights and collective well-being is essential. Understanding this philosophy enables individuals and policymakers to evaluate actions based on their consequences, fostering decisions that enhance overall societal welfare.

References

• Bentham, J. (1789). An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Oxford University Press.
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2021). Benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccination. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
• Shaw, W. H. (2016). Moral Philosophy: A Contemporary Introduction (8th ed.). Wadsworth Publishing.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Sandel, M. J. (2010). Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Rachels, J., & Rachels, S. (2019). The Elements of Moral Philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Fisher, M. (2017). Utilitarianism in contemporary public policy. Journal of Ethics & Social Philosophy, 13(4), 1-20.
• Parfit, D. (2011). On What Matters, Volume I. Oxford University Press.
• Proctor, J. (2020). Ethical considerations in global health. Journal of Public Health Policy, 41(2), 134-147.