Rule utilitarianism works as a moral theory, but act utilitarianism does not
“Rule utilitarianism works as a moral theory, but act utilitarianism does not”. Discuss
Although utilitarianism is a flawed ideology as whole, rule utilitarianism seems to work as a better theory overall. Rule utilitarianism believes that we should always follow the general adherence to which will lead to the greatest overall balance of good over evil. I believe this is a more moral theory compared to act utilitarianism, act utilitarianism believes that we should always perform the act which will lead to the greatest good over evil.
I believe that rule utilitarianism works as a moral theory compared to act utilitarianism because in order to live in an ordered society, we need rules and laws in order to avoid chaos, and this is what rule utilitarianism believes in. Without rules it will be hard to achieve happiness, because if individuals use act utilitarianism and focus on only what will bring them the greatest happiness over evil, then criminals will most likely use this as an opportunity to possibly hurt people or rob places, however with act utilitarianism this would be considered okay under certain circumstances, eg if a child was starving and the only way to feed the child was to steal a loaf of bread, then this would be okay according to act utilitarianism, however some people may believe this would be the right thing to do as there would be no other choice.