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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper examines Hume's concept of utility. A quote is included from Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, the only source used. Bibliography lists 1 source.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA645U.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
opposed to merely ourselves." First, it is important to understand what Hume meant by utility. What is the relevance of utility in Humes moral theory? In some way, Hume
suggests that others will observe a useful action, and that is relevant. Actions of utility are those that many can agree upon. For example, someone volunteers in a church and
others see him, and then people say that so and so is a good person. In some way, the idea that people are actually getting something in return for their
volunteerism is true. At least, according to this theory, it seems that someone will feel good about what they are doing because of the immediate reaction to their actions. At
the same time, those feelings are really besides the point, which is that in the end, they are doing the right thing. A student goes on to ask: "Why
does he think that usefulness serves as a basic moral criterion? Why are we concerned with the usefulness of our actions to others (as opposed to merely ourselves)?" These
questions take the idea of utility a step further. After all, some people may join a bowling league and enjoy themselves, while others may volunteer to go door to door
to collect money for charity. Each makes use of leisure time. Yet, one might attach the actions of the latter individual to a moral good. Is the individual who collects
money for charity more moral because of what he or she does with leisure time? In some way, one could say that this is the case, but others might argue
that it is their egoism that gets in the way. In other words, the volunteer does not do good for its own sake, but only because they are seen. It
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