surveyutilitarianism

Utilitarian Survey

The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.
Jeremy Bentham

Let us begin our study of utilitarian with a self-inventory to evaluate our ethical stance.

Place a check in the column which most nearly matches your viewpoint
1 disagree strongly; 2 disagree; 3 neutral; 4 agree; 5 strongly agree

1	2	3	4	5	Statement
					I weigh the outcome very seriously when deciding what do.
					I am more interested in the result than in the intention.
					When things don't turn out as I had planned, I consider the endeavor worthless.
					We ought to strive to please as many people as we can.
					The ends justify the means.
					All people should be treated equally in the face of the law.
					All people should be treated equally in our personal lives.
					When it comes to creating laws, it should be the majority rules: what most people want should be passed and upheld as a law.
					Right before lunch I win $300 at the casino. I would not keep all of this money for myself. I would pay for lunch for my friends.
					If I owned a business, I would produce items that have the greatest cost/benefit ratio, even if this meant cheap labor, or inferior product.
					Total Points

Evaluative Rubric is hyperlinked below

Should a barrier be placed on the San Francisco bridge to prevent suicides?
(Note from 1937 to 1992 approximately 1,000 people have jumped from the bridge per the San Francisco Chronicle dated Jan 30, 1993, page A3)
- Yes, it is the safe thing to do for those contemplating suicide
- No it would obstruct the view and beauty of many people

How can such an action be considered ethical and/or justifiable by those doing it?

Can we make any wrong right based on our perception (reality)? And if so, is that perception (reality) strong enough to make it right for everyone?