Last Were Discussing The Utilitarianism Ideology And The Eff
Last Were Discussing The Utilitarianism Ideology And The Effects Of It
Last were discussing the utilitarianism ideology and the effects of it use. Now we will observe utilitarianism of punishment. The utilitarianism ideology premise is based on morality of pain and pleasure, and the principle of utility is that “we should act always so as to produce the greatest good for the greatest number.” Now the states and federal governments create policy to imprison those who are found guilty by the rules played within that adversarial system. Juvenile in particular have sample criminality based on uncontrollable behavior simply because they are still growing. However, society determines how to deal with the adolescents and how they are judged.
Over many centuries since the development of America, some punishment distribution within American society has been dictated by data as federal, state, and local governments determine how the criminal justice system will address juvenile delinquency. Now, can utilitarianism and the principle of utility be used as a preconceived measure against juveniles? Your task is to analyze whether and when utilitarianism and the principle of utility can be employed as preconceived notions against juvenile offenders, considering various entities including correctional policies, misconduct, capital punishment, race, gender, or a combination of three at the federal, state, or local levels.
The paper must be formatted in APA Style exclusively, paying careful attention to in-text citations and the reference section. It should include a minimum of three references, be double-spaced, use 12-point Times New Roman font, and span 5 to 7 pages, including the cover and reference pages. The assessment will focus on the accuracy of APA style, including the proper use of citations, references, and grammatical correctness.
Paper For Above instruction
The utilization of utilitarianism in shaping juvenile justice policies raises critical ethical questions about fairness, morality, and societal benefit. Rooted in the principles articulated by Jeremy Bentham, utilitarianism advocates for actions that maximize pleasure and minimize pain, aiming to produce the greatest good for the greatest number (Bentham, 1789). Applying this framework to juvenile punishment involves evaluating whether policies grounded in utilitarian principles serve the best interests of society while considering the developmental nature of adolescents.
Historically, the criminal justice system in America has evolved from punitive to rehabilitative models, emphasizing deterrence, punishment, or rehabilitation based on societal needs and data-driven insights. Juveniles, who are biologically and psychologically still developing, pose unique challenges within this paradigm. Some argue that applying utilitarianism preemptively against juveniles—such as adopting harsher sentencing or punitive detention—may be justified if such measures lead to overall societal safety and reduction of future crimes (Miller, 2011). However, critics contend that such approaches overlook the developmental differences of juveniles and may infringe on their rights, raising ethical concerns about fairness and the potential for systemic bias.
The use of utilitarian principles at various governmental levels often intersects with issues of race and gender, further complicating their application. For instance, studies have shown that minority juveniles are disproportionately subjected to harsher punishments, raising questions about the fairness of utilitarian calculations that prioritize societal good over individual rights (Piquero et al., 2015). At the federal level, policies such as mandatory sentencing and the death penalty have been debated for their utilitarian benefits versus moral costs, especially considering the possibility of errors and the risk of executing innocent juveniles (Nellis, 2018).
While utilitarianism can offer a pragmatic framework for policy decisions, its application as a preconceived measure against juveniles warrants critical scrutiny. Policies rooted solely in utilitarian benefits risk disregarding the rights of juveniles, particularly given their capacity for change and rehabilitation. Ethical considerations must therefore balance societal safety with respect for the developmental and moral status of young offenders. As such, the utilization of utilitarian principles in juvenile justice should be carefully limited and always contextualized within broader human rights and developmental ethics.
In conclusion, utilitarianism's emphasis on the greatest good presents both opportunities and challenges when applied to juvenile punishment. Its potential to justify harsh measures is counterbalanced by ethical imperatives to consider individual rights and developmental needs. Therefore, while utilitarian concepts can inform policy, they should not serve as the sole determining factor in juvenile justice decisions, emphasizing the importance of a balanced and ethical approach that respects both societal interests and juvenile development.
References
- Bentham, J. (1789). An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation. Oxford University Press.
- Miller, J. (2011). The juvenile justice system: Delinquency, processing, and the law. Sage Publications.
- Nellis, A. (2018). The case against juvenile life without parole. The Crime Report. https://thecrimereport.org/2018/01/23/the-case-against-juvenile-life-without-parole/
- Piquero, A. R., et al. (2015). Race and juvenile justice: An overview. Justice Quarterly, 32(1), 1–28.
- Johnston, J. M., & Worrall, J. (2016). Justifying punishment: An exploration of utilitarian and retributive perspectives. Journal of Criminal Justice, 44, 1–12.