The Theory of Utilitarianism - Essay Example

UtilitarianismUtilitarianism is the ethical actions considered right if the outcome of such actions benefits the majority and not a single individual. According to this theory, the outcome of the actions apparently determines if deeds are wrong or right in the society. The actions of Cooper meet utilitarianism by the fact that the outcome of his actions benefits both himself and others. His liver donation helps the family of those who are in need of the organ and brings joy to that family. Cooper’s actions also make him and his family happy for the act of saving another person’s life through considering their previous experience.

Furthermore, everybody who knows him acknowledges his action as the right thing. Our actions according to utilitarianism should emulate Cooper’s in ensuring benefits to the majority and not a single individual.In our daily actions and decision, we should consider benefits to others and not personal gains. Cooper does this and goes far enough to ensure that he saves the life an anonymous individual and feel right while risking his own. However, act like that of Cooper is too extreme in risking personal life while there are many other options that can benefit the majority.

Cooper and his family passed through fear of all the risks before and during the surgery. The risks in the donation process including death could lead to unhappiness in some of the people. There is an option of obtaining liver from a deceased person without any risk. The result in his actions had the possibility of not achieving the best outcome that the majority expected.