Please discuss the following question with philosophy ethics and knowledge - Essay Example

Utilitarianism Insert Insert Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is an ethical philosophy considering the greatest good as getting derived from the happiness of the highest proportion or part of the population in the society (Scarre, 2002). As a branch of philosophy, this ethical philosophical theory believes that an action is considered to be morally right provided that its consequences are result into overall and total joy in the society. On the other hand, this ethical philosophical theory considers an action to wrong or immorally wrong if it results into pain, sorrow or unhappiness in the general society (Scarre, 2002).

A number of individuals have raised issues that utilitarianism is too demanding as a moral theory. Some respond by saying that it is not utilitarianism theory that places great demands on us, but rather the state of the world. Since the world is currently arranged in a such a way that many people are ill, hungry, or otherwise suffer greatly, this philosophical knowledge points out that we to do a lot. By doing a lot it means taking a number of actions towards alleviating the suffering. It is true and convincing that if everyone’s needs were largely looked after and most people were reasonably happy, utilitarianism would demand very little if anything from human beings.

This is due to the fact that, if everyone’s demand were taken care of, then no one would end up striving to satisfy his/her need. It is in the process of utility maximization that different individuals end up messing up with others resulting into sorrow in the society. If everything is in control, then it means that there will be only one or two scenarios where an individual will have to come in for the purpose of achieving his/her utility. This will involve less actions or activities as compared to when there are a lot of illness, hunger and suffering among other calamities.

Therefore in these few activities, utilitarianism will end up demanding very little from us. Reference Scarre, G. (2002). Utilitarianism. London: Routledge.