Utilitarianism originated from an ethical principle under , who theorized an action is right if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Cavanaugh (2004) informs readers that utilitarianism is rarely possible to measure the costs and benefits. I found that utilitarianism is measured by hedons (which is positive), and dolors (which is negative). Hedons and dolors can be defined by pleasure, happiness, ideals, and preferences. You must calculate how many people will be affected, negatively (dolors) as well as positively (hedons). You then choose the action that produces the greatest overall amount of utility and subtract hedons from dolors or vice versa (Lawrence M. Hinman, 2010, p. 19). Cavanagh writes on how an individual should think before they do something. The challenge in utilitarianism is failing to completely know the outcome. It is understandable that one could not predict the future, but could only hold a probable guess. Cavanagh keeps his readers attention by writing metaphors or phrases the audience can connect to, for example, “The Golden Rule”, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Cavanagh, 2008, p. 236). With Individuals having to make choices on utilitarianism, they are protected by individual rights.
Cavanagh gives examples of Individual Rights, such as the U.S. Bill of Rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Cavanagh failed at giving examples of what the U.S. Bill of Rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides for individuals. Cavanagh speaks about how we have the freedom of conscience and freedom of speech, although, with every right there is a corresponding duty. With rights we have legal rights and consequences. With these consequences, Cavanagh failed to give supporting evidence or examples of what an individual can expect if one does something wrong. Cavanagh gave few examples of individual rights, one being, individuals getting paid for work corresponds to them doing their part and going into work. Cavanagh goes to the extreme writing people have the right not to be lied to or deceived (while this in my opinion is true), but occurs everyday to everyone. Cavanagh wants readers to understand that every action or decision we make is either justifiable or unjustifiable.
Individuals throughout society have their own distinctive explanation of justice. Cavanagh writes that justice requires all persons to be guided by fairness, equity, and impartiality. The standards of justice are more important than the utilitarian consideration of consequences. He speaks how justice is largely based on the moral rights of individuals, and is not as often in conflict with individual rights as are utilitarian norms. Cavanagh used pathos when he compared justice to the apartheid treatment of blacks in South Africa. However, he failed to explain what happened during the apartheid treatment of blacks in South Africa. When I think of justice I think of the criminal justice one faces when they commit a crime. There are always laws that can be broken and consequences that must follow.
In Cavanagh’s article he is giving his opinion on utilitarianism, individual rights, justice, and how those should help individuals make decisions.
My understanding of the article is that people make decisions everyday that could have been different if thought through ethically. The details of the decisions will always be different from one person, and one group, to the next. An ethical decision should be made to promote the moral good of a group, and ideally all of humanity, without intentional or foreseeable harm to any other individuals or groups in the process. I believe Cavanagh is credible in writing an article such as this. I trust what Cavanagh states in his article, and even though there were a few statements I didn’t understand, he was still able to connect to me as a reader.
Cavanagh, G. (2008). Making ethical decisions. In L. Behrens & L. Rosen (Eds.),
Writing and reading across the curriculum: (pp. 235-237). New York:
Pearson Longman.
Utilitarianism. (2010). Lawrence M. Hinman.
Retrieved July 11, 2010, from
.sandiego.edu
