Our environment is regulated by rules, either implicit or explicit, and we are educated to follow them from an early age. In the ability to exist happy, peaceful lives, society wants us to act in ways that adhere to these principles.
We go about our business, taking care not to breach any regulations that would damage or endanger others. However, there are occasions when we do things that are not in compliance with the laws, but rather because we believe it is the proper thing to do. The words act utilitarianism, as well as rule utilitarianism, are used to describe this. The contrasts here between the two terminologies are discussed in this article.
Act Utilitarianism vs Rule Utilitarianism
The main difference between the act utilitarian evaluates simply the outcomes or repercussions of a single act, whereas the rule utilitarian examines the outcomes of obeying a set of rules. One of the most well-known and important ethical theories is utilitarianism. Its central notion, like that of many varieties of consequentialism, is that whether acts are morally justified or immoral is determined by their consequences. The only impacts of activities that are meaningful are the positive and negative outcomes that they cause.
Act utilitarianism is a teleological moral concept that ensures that a person’s action is ethically good if and only if it achieves the greatest possible outcomes in the given scenario. Comparing the implications of watching television all day today versus the repercussions of performing charitable work tomorrow to learn what act utilitarianism works. Performing charitable work tomorrow would bring more overall happiness than watching television all day long today.
A response to a definite objection is rule-utilitarianism. In rule-utilitarianism, the concept of usefulness is to comply with the rules that will result in the highest benefit for the bulk of the population. The general norm in the scenario above would be to ‘share the prosperity.’ According to utilitarianism, anything that provides the most utility is acceptable, and whatever provides significant net utility is deemed fair.
Comparison Table Between Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism
| Parameters of Comparison | Act Utilitarianism | Rule Utilitarianism |
| Definition | Act utilitarianism is a teleological moral concept that ensures that a person’s action is ethically good if and only if it achieves the greatest possible outcomes in the given scenario. | Rule utilitarianism holds that an activity is ethically correct if it follows the rules that would result in the highest benefit or pleasure. |
| Rules | Act utilitarians should require a rule that always benefits people in such a way each time it is applied. For example, delivering meals to those in need might be considered a utilitarian activity. | A more stern guideline, such as “always offer food for anyone who desires it,” would be needed to make the rule utilitarian. |
| Judgement | Immediate benefits and after effects are decided upon the judgement. | Rule utilitarians are more prone to consider whether their activities will affect them and others in the long term. |
| Consequences | The effects of act utilitarianism are based on the individual choices. | The effects of rule utilitarianism are determined by the rule(s) that are implemented. |
| Morality | Morality is based on the outcome of a decent activity that helps the bulk of citizens. | The ethics of rule utilitarianism is based on obeying a given rule or code of conduct (when performing an activity) that helps the majority of people. |
What is Act Utilitarianism ?
Act utilitarianism seems to be the concept that the right decision is the one that offers the most satisfaction to the most people. It is a belief that the legitimacy of an activity is defined by its utility to the majority of people, and therefore this act is morally correct since it produces more benefit or satisfaction.
Utilitarian terrorism on the other side is the more extremist facade of utilitarianism. This theory supports a terrorist’s actions, no regardless of how violent or damaging, as long as they result in the greatest pleasure for each member of their community. Act utilitarianism is focused on increasing each individual’s pleasure.
As a result, no one party to the contract takes priority over another’s, everybody has an equal chance of happiness. This flow also entoures new ways of trial and error on a larger scale. Act utilitarians are wary of clinging too tightly to any one notion, preferring instead to consider all available possibilities in order to make the best judgment for each situation.
One criticism of act utilitarianism is that it appears to be overly permissive, capable of excusing any crime and sometimes even rendering it morally necessary provided the usefulness of the act’s specific effects is high enough. A further argument is that act-utilitarianism appears to be stronger in theory than in practice, because we rarely have the time or inclination to forecast the effects of an action, assess their worth, and compare them to other alternatives.
What is Rule Utilitarianism ?
Rule utilitarianism holds that an activity is ethically correct if it follows the rules that would result in the highest benefit or pleasure. It conforms to the notion that the validity of activity is decided by the accuracy of its norms, but that the greatest benefit or satisfaction is gained if the proper rule is obeyed.
It is a belief that, while observing the rules does not always result in the greatest good, breaking them does not just result in the highest happiness. Finally, rule utilitarianism can morph into act utilitarianism, since when violating a rule results in a larger benefit, a sub-rule can be created to address exceptions.
The theory of rule utilitarianism states that an activity is ethically correct if it follows the rules that would result in the greatest benefit or happiness. As a result, achieving the larger good or pleasure may be accomplished by following and sticking to the proper laws that apply to everyone equally.
As a result, rule utilitarianism emphasizes that even the most effective approach to produce greater good for mankind is to adopt a moral code of principles (that are understandable to all individuals). As a result, these precise guidelines should increase the plurality of people’s total utility and pleasure. When a set of norms is settled upon and approved by the general public, it applies to all social situations regardless of circumstances.
Main Differences Between Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism
- Act utilitarianism is a moral theory that considers what is beneficial to everyone in a population or a society, whereas rule utilitarianism is a moral theory that simply considers justice for every individual.
- Act utilitarianism holds that breaking a rule is acceptable as long as it results in a larger benefit, whereas Rule utilitarianism holds that violating a rule will not mean a greater benefit.
- Act utilitarianism ignores the repercussions of one’s acts, whereas rule utilitarianism acknowledges the individual’s actions. Rule utilitarians are concerned with ensuring that everyone’s rights and wants are satisfied in the community.
- Act utilitarianism only considers society as a whole whereas rule utilitarianism considers the voice of every single individual.
- Act utilitarianism holds that an act is considered to be ethically valid when it provides the highest benefit for the highest number of people, whereas Rule utilitarianism holds that an act’s ethical acceptability is determined by the integrity of the rules.
Conclusion
Yet if the implications of an individual’s behavioral aspects are considered in solitude or as a component of the system is the distinction between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism.
Act utilitarianism evaluates a single or individual’s actions and their outcomes. Consider how a decision will affect me and the people around me right now before making one. Act utilitarians would rate an event based on its immediate advantages to oneself or others, without considering what could happen in the near future as a result of these events.
References
- https://www.utilitarianism.com/actutil.htm
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/utilitarianism.asp