Utilitarian ethics

Definition

Utilitarian ethics is a moral philosophy that evaluates the rightness or wrongness of actions based on their outcomes, specifically aiming to maximize overall happiness or utility. This approach emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number, which is especially relevant in decision-making processes where ethical considerations impact public interest and welfare.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Utilitarian ethics prioritizes outcomes that lead to the maximum benefit for the largest number of people, often evaluating various options based on potential consequences.
2. In narrative journalism, utilitarian ethics can guide journalists in making decisions that serve the public interest, balancing truth-telling with community welfare.
3. Critics of utilitarian ethics argue it can overlook individual rights and justice in favor of collective happiness, leading to morally questionable outcomes.
4. The 'greatest happiness principle' is central to utilitarian thought, prompting ethical dilemmas in journalism where a story's impact on people must be carefully considered.
5. Utilitarianism requires journalists to consider diverse perspectives and potential impacts of their narratives, often leading to challenging ethical decisions in reporting.

Review Questions

• How does utilitarian ethics influence decision-making in narrative journalism?
  • Utilitarian ethics influences decision-making in narrative journalism by encouraging journalists to assess the potential impact of their stories on the public. This means considering how a narrative may promote overall happiness or well-being while also weighing the consequences for individuals involved. Journalists must balance factual reporting with the potential benefits or harm their stories may cause, striving to ensure that their work contributes positively to society.
• What are some challenges journalists might face when applying utilitarian ethics to their reporting?
  • Journalists applying utilitarian ethics may encounter challenges such as determining whose happiness should be prioritized and how to measure it effectively. For instance, a story that benefits many readers might harm an individual’s reputation or privacy. Additionally, journalists might struggle with conflicts between public interest and individual rights, leading them to navigate complex ethical waters while trying to maintain integrity and accountability in their reporting.
• Evaluate how utilitarian ethics can both support and undermine journalistic integrity when reporting sensitive topics.
  • Utilitarian ethics can support journalistic integrity by guiding reporters to focus on stories that bring about positive societal outcomes, fostering transparency and accountability. However, it can also undermine integrity if journalists prioritize sensationalism or public interest over truth and fairness. In sensitive topics such as crime or personal tragedies, this could lead to compromising accuracy for the sake of perceived utility, resulting in potential harm or misinformation. Therefore, careful consideration is needed to balance these ethical considerations while maintaining a commitment to truthful reporting.

Related terms

Consequentialism: A broader ethical theory that judges actions by their consequences rather than intentions, making utilitarian ethics a form of consequentialism.

Hedonism: A philosophical stance that considers pleasure or happiness as the highest good, often intertwined with utilitarian principles when measuring outcomes.

Deontology: An ethical framework that focuses on rules and duties rather than consequences, contrasting with the outcome-based nature of utilitarian ethics.