Utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Utilitarianism - Essay Example The paper will also give some examples to illustrate the situation. As mentioned above, maximum happiness and minimum suffering are the two central concepts of the Utilitarian approach. In other words, the Utilitarian view supports any course of action that would maximize the over wellbeing of the society, or the greatest number of people. According this philosophical theory, happiness of people has to be sacrificed only if such an act would bring greater happiness to more number of people. Stuart Mill, one of the major contributors to the theory of Utilitarianism, gives a clear-cut definition of Utilitarianism. According to him, â€Å"actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness† (as cited in Bykvist, 2010, p.21). As per the Utilitarian view, an action that would give happiness to greatest number of people is supportable even if it may physically or mentally harm some other people but fewer in numbers. One of the major criticisms against the Utilitarianism is that t his philosophical theory fails to define what will maximize happiness. Opponents claim that the notion of happiness may vary from person to person in accordance with their moral beliefs. In the words of Taranovsky (2003), another central concept of this moral theory is that one person’s happiness should never be more important than that of others and there is no good reason to follow a rule of conduct which is detrimental to the happiness of the majority of people. Under this concept, many fundamental laws of conduct and practices of justice are not supportable as they are not likely to make greatest number of people happy. Often, the most criticized aspect of Utilitarianism is that this ethical philosophy supports homicide under certain circumstances. According to Utilitarian approach, even homicide is justifiable if it contributes to the happiness

Pit bull (dogs) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Pit bull (dogs) - Essay Example Researchers state that dogs are not born aggressive or their aggression is not dependant on the breed they belong to. A study was conducted by Casey and fellow researchers who identified that dogs did not show aggression towards the family members of their keepers until the dogs were directed to do so or were trained to act aggressive against family members (Casey 60). Another reason due to which Pit bull can be kept as friends is that they are very near and loyal to their owners and are highly social. They love making friends and are easier to train and can be kept throughout the life. ASPCA states that if a pit bull goes through proper social training then they make the most intelligent as well as nonaggressive pet dogs (Owens 24). A third reason for keeping pit bull dogs as pets is that these dogs are highly loyal to their family members and are one of the best protectors. These dogs have the ability to bark really loud and due this they are able to keep strangers and trespassers away from entering the house of their owners. Pit bull dogs should be kept as pets because they are harmless and it is myth that because they belong to the bread of aggressive dogs they are aggressive in nature since birth. Pit bull dogs should even be kept as pets because they are very social if they are provided with proper social training and they do not harm family members instead are very effective in scaring away strangers and trespassers. Casey, R.A, B Loftus, C Bolster, G.J Richards, and E.J Blackwell. "Human Directed Aggression in Domestic Dogs (canis Familiaris): Occurrence in Different Contexts and Risk Factors." Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 152 (2014): 52-63.