Intro to Ethical Theories

Introduction to Ethical Theories

Lissa Lagana

Case Study Questions

1. Shaw and Barry distinguish two different forms of utilitarianism. What are these two forms? Briefly describe each and use examples.

Act and Rule are the two types of Utilitarianism that are distinguished by Shaw and Barry. Act and Rule agree that our overall aim in evaluating actions should be to create the best results possible, but they have different ways of how to do that. Act utilitarianism states: “We must ask ourselves what the consequences of a particular act in a particular situation will be for all those affected. If the consequences bring more net good than those of any alternative course of action, then this action is the right one and the one we should perform” (William, 2013, p. 60). Act utilitarianism only requires us to answer the question of does a particular action maximize happiness. Rule of utilitarianism states the utilitarian standard should be applied not to individual actions but to moral codes as a whole. The rule utilitarian asks what moral code a society should adopt to maximize happiness. The principles that make up that code would be the basis for distinguishing right actions from wrong actions (William, 2013, p. 77). Rule of Utilitarianism basically implements morals to help make the best decisions as a whole. An example of this is stopping at a red light at night when there are no other cars on the road. A rule utilitarian would think it would be a good idea for everyone to stop at a red light no matter the situation, because that is the law. An act utilitarian would hope that people, that aren’t them, in general would follow the rule. But when they get to a stop light at night and see there are no other cars or police in the area that it would be ok to go thru the red light.

2. What do economists mean by the "declining marginal utility of money"?

According the textbook, declining marginal utility of money refers to the successive...