Rule utilitarianism from "summary" of Utilitarianism and On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
Rule utilitarianism is a refinement of the utilitarian theory, which holds that actions are right if they tend to promote happiness and wrong if they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. This theory suggests that we should adhere to rules that have been established because they tend to lead to good outcomes. In rule utilitarianism, the emphasis is on following rules that have been shown to produce the greatest amount of happiness overall. This approach helps to address some of the criticisms of act utilitarianism, which can be seen as being too demanding or impractical in some situations. By focusing on rules rather than individual actions, rule utilitarianism provides a more practical guide for moral decision-making. One of the key advantages of rule utilitarianism is that it provides a more stable and consistent framework for making moral decisions. By following established rules that have been shown to produce good outcomes, individuals can have more confidence in their moral choices. This can help to reduce uncertainty and promote a sense of moral clarity in decision-making. Rule utilitarianism also helps to address concerns about the consequences of individual actions. By focusing on the overall impact of rules rather than the consequences of each individual action, rule utilitarianism can help to avoid situations where individuals may be tempted to justify harmful actions on the basis of producing good outcomes in specific cases.- Rule utilitarianism offers a practical and effective approach to moral decision-making, by emphasizing the importance of following rules that have been established to promote happiness. By focusing on rules rather than individual actions, rule utilitarianism provides a more stable and consistent framework for making moral decisions.
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