Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism Question The core principle of utilitarianism s that “ actions are right in proportion as theytend to promote overall human happiness”. Utilitarianism is the ethical act of maximum utilization of morals. In turn, it produces positive benefits and at the same time, reducing the negative effects (Mosser, 2013). This leads to the question of how one can know where his/her actions are moral or just. Needless to say, the first one is judgment through a court of law. Secondly is one’s consciousness feeling guilty and resentment on the cause of action (Koritansky, 2011). Utilitarianism extends to political ethics which introduces the problem of tyranny of majority. This is when the majority and powerful people make decisions that are affects the minority.
Question 2:
The problem of tyranny of majority is not new as it has occurred in the past history. An example that serves this problem is Slavery of the black people by the majority Whites in the USA. This was a time where decisions were made by the white people as they were the majority natives. The decision made to use black people as slaves was an act against humanity and was morally incorrect. Later, black people like Martin Luther King saw a need to end this slavery and racism that affected his fellow minorities. It was not an easy battle but at the long end equality through democracy was achieve among every America citizen(Barden, 2001).
Question 3:
The majority Americans gained from this slavery because the cheap labor boosted its economy. Today, America is the one of the most developed countries in the world. As some would argue slavery was for a good cause, however what about the oppressed slaves? As much as America benefited economically, the Blacks suffered tremendously (Barden, 2001). Therefore, it was not morally right for the majority right to oppress the minority even if the results benefitted the country.
References
Barden C., (2001). Slavery in the United States. Los Angeles: Carson-Dellosa Publishers
Koritansky P., (2011). The Philosophy of Punishment and the History of Political Thought.
Colombia: University of Missouri publishers
Mosser, K. (2013). Understanding philosophy. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc