The Greatest Principle - Utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Greatest Principle - Utilitarianism - Essay Example While the legal verdict was that of murder, the precept and concept of utilitarian as moral and ethical judgment for one’s actions had become crucial issues. The chapter describes Sandel’s moral and political philosophy and explores human behavior on the wider context of human relationship based on moral and ethical values. Bentham’s utilitarianism are discussed and juxtaposed against Mill’s philosophy of freedom and liberty. Aggregate utility and maximized happiness are major points of Bentham’s utilitarianism. It is based on the motive of the act and therefore can be used for justifying wrong acts. In other words, the wrong motives can be used for justifying actions which could primarily be for vested interests of few. Indeed, according to act utilitarian, actions should be such that they maximize happiness for greatest number of people. Aggregate utility becomes important aspect of actions as per Bentham’s philosophy. Sandel asserts that Bentham’s utilitarianism has basic two flaws when translated within the broader social context: it fails to safeguard individual’s rights and there cannot be common solution to every person’s preferences or problems. Indeed, it would pose huge difficulties for the market economy. Ford had refused to fix defective gas tank due to high cost per fatality. Ford’s action is prime example that shows the non feasibility of actions based on aggregate utility and translating everyone’s preferences into single solution. Mill’s philosophy introduces accountability of actions and therefore emphasizes that people can act in any way they wish but their actions must not harm the interests of others. This is hugely pertinent because while it takes individuals’ right into consideration, it also reinforces moral obligation on their actions. It also tries to explain second objection which highlights the need to evolve single scale to