Philosophy: Greater Happiness - Essay Example

Ethics requires that an individual should behave in ways that society accepts. For example, a police officer may face an ethical dilemma, whereby a criminal tries to bribe him or her. Ethics requires that the officer under consideration should arrest the criminal. However, the officer may decide to take the bribe and satisfy himself.

This type of action will only generate happiness for the officer and not the society. The criminal whom the officer did not arrest may end up harming another person. Taking a bribe is, therefore, not a good thing to do. It only benefits the officer, while harming the public or society. Furthermore, the officer may lose his or her job. Taking bribes will only lead to happiness in the short run, but in the long run, it will lead to grief. However, refusing a bribe is beneficial to the officer and society.

The officer will arrest the criminal, and reduce crime within society. This leads to much happiness within the community, and chances are high that the officer may get a promotion. Based on the example of the police officer, refusing a bribe led to the reduction of crime, and also to his or her promotion. It is, therefore, important to conclude that an action that results in the general good of society, will lead to more happiness. It is the right thing to do.