Utilitarianism Is Based on the Term Paper

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Jim is faced with a life or death decision; he holds the lives of many in his hands. He can either let an entire tribe die, or kill one tribe member to allow the rest of the tribe to live. In this circumstance, some people would say that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. However, as a Rule Utilitarian, Jim will consider the ruling against murder. If he commits murder, he will be breaking one of the oldest rules in the book. Murder is recognized as a crime in nearly every civilization, and breaking this rule would go against the Rule Utilitarianism's principles. On the other hand, Rule Utilitarianism follows rules so strictly because most of the time rules should be followed. In the case of murder, most of the time people should not go against this rule and commit such an act. However, there are exceptions to breaking the rules. Although Rule Utilitarians believe that rules should be followed most of the time, Jim's circumstance is a special case. Many lives will be murdered by other individuals if Jim does not step up and kill one person.

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Rule Utilitarianism looks at special circumstances and makes exceptions when the outcome does not benefit the majority of the people. Therefore, in order to create the best outcome, based on Rule Utilitarianism, Jim should choose to kill one tribe member to save the rest. His conscience would be weighed down with the weight of committing murder, but he would have saved the rest of the tribe and would have still followed Rule Utilitarianism since there are exceptions to the rules.

Rule Utilitarians and act Utilitarians differ in some respects, but in extreme circumstances they will agree on the same solution. In the end, Utilitarianism looks for the best outcome for all individuals. Choices are made for the greater good......

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