Explain the difference between act and rule utilitarianism.

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Utilitarianism

Q: Explain the difference between act and rule utilitarianism.

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds that all moral actions should be decided on the basis that they create, "the greatest happiness for the greatest number".

A teleological approach is one which is based on consequences, as opposed to a deontological approach which is one based on a set of rules or absolutes.

Utilitarianism can be subdivided into two distinct classes; act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism.

Act utilitarianism was the first form of utilitarianism, which was first developed by Jeremy Bentham in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. In its absolute form, act utilitarianism may be regarded as purely teleological, inasmuch as moral decisions are decided upon the consequences of each individual situation in relation to the total amount of happiness that they produce.

Practical applications of act utilitarianism may be seen on numerous occasions in everyday life. A good example of act utilitarianism in practice is in cases of abortion. As an action in itself, according to act utilitarianism, abortion is an amoral action. However, when consequences are contemplated in terms of the total amount of happiness caused, it becomes either moral or