Question

Compare and contrast utilitarianism with virtue ethics.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Virtue Ethics vs Utilitarianism

Since the beginning of recorded human history, people have been obsessed with personal fulfillment. Almost as obsessive has been the argument about how to attain fulfillment and what its effects will be personally and on society. In the midst of this debate stand two opposing views: virtue ethics and utilitarianism. Both views have positive and negative components and continue to be argued and debated today.

Virtue ethics or virtue theory was originally proposed by Aristotle (384-322 BCE) to deal with the question of how humans can find and maintain happiness. Aristotle was ultimately interested in the final outcome of an activity or a person's entire life as a measure for happiness. In other words, the process of getting to something is not so much the point as is the outcome. For example, if you spend your entire life being a good person even in the face of oppression, and you're honored for your goodness and good works, in Aristotle's view, you have led a fulfilling life and attained happiness.

Utilitarianism is basically the opposite view. Instead of focusing on the final outcome, utilitarianism is about making oneself as useful as possible over the course of one's existence. This concept was developed by philosopher John Stewart Mill (1806-1873 CE). Mill's view was that fulfillment was only achieved if a person had utility or usefulness. He believed that happiness is found in how much a person can do, thereby accumulating achievements that build a person up and consequently, bring about a more developed humanity as a whole. Whether the end of the work is accepted or ignored is not the issue, what matters is the journey through a life of utility.

While both virtue ethics and utilitarianism seem like plausible philosophies, proponents debate endlessly in an effort to convince people to choose one or the other. How does one reach true and lasting fulfillment? The differences between these two philosophies are sharp and raise more than a little contention. Let's look more closely at two of the differences: individual versus community happiness and contemplation versus action.