Question

1. State and explain the basic idea of the principle of utility or the greatest happiness principle.

2. What does it mean to speak of utilitarianism as a consequentialist moral theory?

3. What is the difference between intrinsic and instrumental good? Give examples of each.

Thank you.

Answer 1

ANSWER:
The greatest happiness principle is utility. Utilitarianism is a phenomenon that provides ways of thinking about great happiness. Mills said that action should in the right proportion so that they can promote happiness. If there is not a correct proportion or there is an occurrence of a wrong proportion it tends to promote the reverse of happiness. Happiness brings the pleasure and absence of happiness brings pain., sadness, regret, etc.

In simple, we can say that positive vibes increase pleasure and negative vibes increase sadness. So that the behavior is desirable that brings pleasure.The utilitarian main aim to work for the benefits of human beings. The utilitarianism removes prejudice, ego and negative aspects from the society and increases the value of morality. These are not limit moral values but they maximize the benefits for the sake of society.