according to lewis vaughn, how might a utilitarian assess the treatment of non-human animals?

What is utilitarianism and animals?

Lewis Vaughn’s arguments against ethical relativism in Bioethics show the difficulty of dismissing said theory’s possibility, all the while failing to provide his own evidence on behalf of ethical objectivism. Vaughn’s own definition of ethics and morality provide the standard of intellectual rigor that shall be used throughout the essay ...

Does utilitarianism evaluate the action of the rescuer?

View Vaughn-Consequentialist Theories-Utilitarian Ethics.pdf from PHIL 215 at Delta College. From: Lea/Is (/45, PART 3: THEORIES OF MgALlTY 34%, it? …

Is Hare’s two-level utilitarianism applicable to nonhuman animals?

Utilitarianism is a branch of consequentialism, which is a type of ethical theory that judges an act to be right or wrong on the basis of the act's consequences. Classical utilitarians hold that pleasure is the only intrinsic, thus the point of morality is to maximize net happiness for all sentient beings. According to classical utilitarianism, morality demands us…

How do we know that act utilitarianism is a false theory?

Animal “rights” is of course not the only philosophical basis for extending legal protections to animals. Another, competing, basis is based on the theory of utilitarianism – the outright rejection of rights for all species and instead advocacy for equal consideration. This is the view espoused by Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation.

What is the most natural interpretation of utilitarianism?

Act utilitarianism is often seen as the most natural interpretation of the utilitarian ideal . If our aim is always to produce the best results, it seems plausible to think that in each case of deciding what is the right thing to do, we should consider the available options (i.e. what actions could be performed), predict their outcomes, and approve of the action that will produce the most good.

What is the most common argument against act utilitarianism?

The most common argument against act utilitarianism is that it gives the wrong answers to moral questions. Critics say that it permits various actions that everyone knows are morally wrong. The following cases are among the commonly cited examples:

What is utilitarian moral theory?

While there are circumstances in which the utilitarian analysis focuses on the interests of specific individuals or groups, the utilitarian moral theory requires that moral judgments be based on what Peter Singer calls the “equal consideration of interests.” Utilitarianism moral theory then, includes the important idea that when we calculate the utility of actions, laws, or policies, we must do so from an impartial perspective and not from a “partialist” perspective that favors ourselves, our friends, or others we especially care about. Bentham is often cited as the source of a famous utilitarian axiom: “every man to count for one, nobody for more than one.”

What is the difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism?

The debate between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism highlights many important issues about how we should make moral judgments. Act utilitarianism stresses the specific context and the many individual features of the situations that pose moral problems, and it presents a single method for dealing with these individual cases. Rule utilitarianism stresses the recurrent features of human life and the ways in which similar needs and problems arise over and over again. From this perspective, we need rules that deal with types or classes of actions : killing, stealing, lying, cheating, taking care of our friends or family, punishing people for crimes, aiding people in need, etc. Both of these perspectives, however, agree that the main determinant of what is right or wrong is the relationship between what we do or what form our moral code takes and what is the impact of our moral perspective on the level of people’s well-being.

What is utilitarianism in philosophy?

Utilitarianism is a philosophical view or theory about how we should evaluate a wide range of things that involve choices that people face. Among the things that can be evaluated are actions, laws, policies, character traits, and moral codes. Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism because it rests on the idea that it is the consequences or results of actions, laws, policies, etc. that determine whether they are good or bad, right or wrong. In general, whatever is being evaluated, we ought to choose the one that will produce the best overall results. In the language of utilitarians, we should choose the option that “maximizes utility,” i.e. that action or policy that produces the largest amount of good.

What does act utilitarianism mean?

If a judge can prevent riots that will cause many deaths only by convicting an innocent person of a crime and imposing a severe punishment on that person, act utilitarianism implies that the judge should convict and punish the innocent person. (See Rawls and also Punishment .)

What is the best known moral theory?

Act and Rule Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is one of the best known and most influential moral theories. Like other forms of consequentialism, its core idea is that whether actions are morally right or wrong depends on their effects. More specifically, the only effects of actions that are relevant are the good and bad results that they produce.

What do utilitarians believe?

Classical utilitarians (hedonists) believe that happiness/pleasure should be maximized, while preference utilitarians believe that preferences, i.e interests, should be maximized. If utilitarianism is true, then we will need to radically reconsider they ways in which we harm nonhuman animals, since the harm that we cause them greatly increases ...

What is the branch of utilitarianism?

Utilitarianism and Animals. Utilitarianism is a branch of consequentialism, which is a type of ethical theory that judges an act to be right or wrong on the basis of the act’s consequences.

Why is eating meat from a factory farm analogous to torture?

Eating meat from a factory farm, he argues, is analogous to this sort of torture because it is wholly unnecessary. Gary Varner: endorses and defends R.M. Hare’s two-level utilitarianism and applies this theory to the moral treatment of nonhuman animals.

What is the only pleasure humans get from eating factory farm products?

Since the only pleasure humans get from eating factory farm products is gustatory pleasure, the pain and suffering that these animals experience can ever be justified according to utilitarian principles.

What does Singer argue about the basic principle of equality?

In this book, Singer argues that the Basic Principle of Equality should be extended to nonhuman animals. While he denies that this would require that we grant identical rights or treatment to nonhuman animals, he argues that it would demand us to equally consider the interests of animals.

Is utilitarianism a theory of abolitionism?

While act utilitarianism will condemn practices like Factory Farming and Zoos (click here for Dale Jamieson’s seminal paper which explains why zoos fail the test of utilitarianism), which arguably increase unhappiness and pain in the world, utilitarianism is not a theory of abolitionism. That is, act utilitarianism will never grant individuals ...

Does utilitarianism argue for animal exploitation?

Utilitarianism thus does not argue for the abolition of animal exploitation. For utilitarianism, the problem is not that we use animals; rather, the problem is how we use them.

What is the objective process of utilitarianism?

It uses an objective process to decide what is right or wrong. When we make a choice, then there is always a consequence for our actions. The outcome might bring something positive, something negative, or a mixture of the two. It is through these measurements that Utilitarianism seeks to define morality.

Why is utilitarianism good?

Based on these premises, Utilitarianism suggests that happiness is always good for the individual. If you have an opportunity to increase this emotion, then you should do so because it is a core human desire. That means when each member of a group or organization is happy, then so will the entirety of that team.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of utilitarianism?

15 Utilitarianism Advantages and Disadvantages 1 Actions are considered right only if the outcome of the decision maximizes whatever is classified as being good over what would be considered bad. 2 Happiness is the only good outcome that is possible in this structure. 3 If an action does not maximize happiness in some way, then it may be the incorrect choice to make – even if it is considered the moral choice.

Why is utilitarianism unpredictable?

Utilitarianism wants people to look into the future, and then predict today what will bring them a maximum level of happiness today. Because nothing beyond the present moment is guaranteed, there is no feasible way to implement the concepts of this theory .

What happens when you abandon the idea of rules, regulations, and laws in society to pursue happiness?

If you abandon the idea of rules, regulations, and laws in society to pursue happiness, then you are forced to rely on the choices that others make to not bring harm into your life.

What is the goal of reducing personal harm while increasing happiness?

It is a universal concept that all of us can understand.#N#The goal of reducing personal harm while increasing happiness is something that every person pursues at some point in their life. We don’t want to live in misery all of the time, even if pessimism is the star of every thought that we have. By creating a society which places more value on actions that bring happiness, we could create a place where there is more common ground to be found. It is a principle that applies to every culture, which means it would be possible to take one more step closer to a borderless world.

Why do animal advocates eschew rights theory?

In the past five or so years, an increasing number of animal advocates have eschewed rights theory for precisely the reason that rights theory is supposedly incapable of providing determinate normative guidance. These animal advocates express concern that rights theory demands the immediate abolition of animal exploitation, ...

What is animal rights theory?

In many ways, animal rights theory is about the inclusion of nonhumans on the "person" side of the "person/thing" dualism.

What is Shue's concept of the basic right of physical security?

This is Shue's concept of the basic right of physical security. Animal rights theory generally seeks to move at least some nonhumans from the "thing" side of the "person/thing" dualism over to the "person" side. There are at least two reasons in support of this move.

What is the goal of animal rights advocates?

These animal advocates express concern that rights theory demands the immediate abolition of animal exploitation , and that immediate abolition is simply unrealistic. Instead, these advocates support the pursuit of incremental welfarist reform as a "realistic" means of reducing suffering and eventually achieving abolition.

What is the case for animal rights?

In The Case for Animal Rights, Tom Regan argues that the rights position regards as morally unacceptable any institutionalized exploitation of nonhumans. Regan unambiguously and without equivocation condemns the use of animals for food, hunting, trapping, testing, education, and research.

What is the theory of intrinsic value?

Inherent value theory holds that the individual has a distinct moral value that is separate from any intrinsic values and that the attribution of equal inherent value to both moral agents and relevantly similar moral patients is required because both agents and patients are subjects-of-a-life.

What is Singer's utilitarian theory?

Singer is an act utilitarian who believes that it is the consequences of the contemplated act that matter, and not the consequences of following a more generalized rule. There are, of course, differing views of which consequences are relevant.

What is the highest principle of voluntary euthanasia?

The highest principle we should adhere to when examining voluntary euthanasia is the Greatness Happiness Principle . The Greatest Happiness Principle, which I have stated in my work Utilitarianism, says actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.

Why is voluntary euthanasia beneficial?

The utility of active voluntary euthanasia concerning the terminally ill allows for money to be invested elsewhere. Accumulated wealth allows for investing into research that could lead to a cure for a terminal illness.

What is voluntary euthanasia?

First let us define voluntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is defined as “the practice of ending a life in a painless manner.” (wiki). Next let me distinguish between passive and active euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is expediting the death of an individual by some alternative and letting nature take its course.

Why is keeping a terminally ill patient alive important?

By keeping a terminally ill patient alive the money going towards maintaining their life is wasted. That money could be redirected towards infrastructure or research for a cure. The money going towards research could lead to a cure for a terminally ill disease. That cure would lead to the overall happiness for society.

What is passive euthanasia?

Passive euthanasia is expediting the death of an individual by some alternative and letting nature take its course. The alternative could include turning off respirators, stopping medications, or withdrawing food and water. Active euthanasia is the direct cause of ending a life.

Is euthanasia painless?

Not only is the result painless but the action itself is as well. Active euthanasia is quicker and less painful for the patient then passive. Though I do believe the result of the action should be the deciding factor in determining its justification not the action itself.

Does euthanasia increase happiness?

For this argument I will primarily focus on active euthanasia. Euthanasia will increase happiness and decrease pain at the same time. In active euthanasia the doctor takes an action that will cause the patient’s death. Not only is the result painless but the action itself is as well.

Introduction

Purpose

Summary

• Utilitarianism is a philosophical view or theory about how we should evaluate a wide range of things that involve choices that people face. Among the things that can be evaluated are actions, laws, policies, character traits, and moral codes. Utilitarianism is a form of consequentialism because it rests on the idea that it is the consequences or re...

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Properties

Philosophy

Uses

Example

Goals

Definition

Advantages

Criticisms

Quotes

Significance

List of The Advantages of Utilitarianism

• 1. It is a universal concept that all of us can understand. The goal of reducing personal harm while increasing happiness is something that every person pursues at some point in their life. We don’t want to live in misery all of the time, even if pessimism is the star of every thought that we have. By creating a society which places more value on a...

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List of The Disadvantages of Utilitarianism

Conclusion of The Utilitarianism Advantages and Disadvantages