Utilitarian Ethics Theory. Ethics theories utilitarianism vs. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes. Utilitarianism is a family of normative ethical theories that prescribe actions that maximize happiness and well being for all affected individuals. The theory instructs that ethical decisions should weigh the consequences of the actions on if it does more good or harm for the majority of the people.
Utilitarianism and deontological ethics. The sole basis of morality is determined by its usefulness or utility. There are two major ethics theories that attempt to specify and justify moral rules and principles. It is a form of consequentialism. The theory instructs that ethical decisions should weigh the consequences of the actions on if it does more good or harm for the majority of the people. His methods of ethics 1874 a comparative examination of egoism the ethics of common sense and utilitarianism contains the most careful discussion to be found of the implications of utilitarianism as a principle of individual moral action.
Therefore it can be described as a teleological theory or consequentialist theory.
By the time sidgwick wrote utilitarianism had become one of the foremost ethical theories of the day. His methods of ethics 1874 a comparative examination of egoism the ethics of common sense and utilitarianism contains the most careful discussion to be found of the implications of utilitarianism as a principle of individual moral action. Utilitarianism is one of the most powerful and persuasive approaches to normative ethics in the history of philosophy. It is a form of consequentialism. Utilitarianism theory the utilitarianism theory is among the most common approaches in making ethical decisions. Although different varieties of utilitarianism admit different characterizations the basic idea behind all of them is to in some sense maximize utility which is often defined in terms of well being or related concepts.