What Is the Ultimate Purpose of Human Existence?

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prefer it to another pleasure. This leads to the golden rule, which is the standard of happiness and the perfect example of morality. The Golden rule being, do to others what you would like to be done to you. To always love your neighbor as you love yourself. That this principle of Utilitarianism and happiness relate because it all ties up with the golden rule to the ideal form of happiness.

How does Rawls reflect and correct Utilitarianism?

The book A Theory of Justice by Rawls is a critique of the ideology of Utilitarianism. We understand that utilitarianism is said to be a belief of an arrangement, policy, or action that is morally right. It is judged morally because compared to other actions or policies, it is considered the best one, the one that maximizes utility. Here is when Rawls comes in and assumes that justice is predominant and is leading part of morality institutions. Pretty much utilitarianism does not take rights seriously. So he believes that we need a theory of justice that helps society have border lines in which we learn how to treat people.

In a utilitarian moral system, societies individual rights will be acquired from a single aim of utility, like welfare maximization. The idea consists of the acceptance and protection of individual rights and advocating the utilitarian goal. These individual rights are used to simplify decision making among the society. If we were to avoid rights and directly apply the test of utility on each of our actions, the results would probably be very unsuccessful. If we would be on the perspective of utility maximization, the results would be more successful. In this sense of utilitarian theory, our rights will be without moral significance.

Rawls tries to regulate an ideal society by the principles of justice. Rawls says that these principles would state the basis of the ideal society, and each individual will choose the principles. They would have to be in an original position, which is being in a “veil of ignorance”. A position which is unaware of its surroundings like social position, class status, and personal abilities. It says that the social contract theory is better because it had fairness. While in utilitarianism, an action is determined by if to one person it brings them happiness, or to a larger group. That is not in total fair, so the theory of justice argues for equal rights for all individuals. It denies any injustice for any group. It can be justifiable if the action would prevent an even greater injustice.

He explains the theory of justice is a deontological theory while utilitarianism is a teleological theory. Meaning that the theory of justice focuses on giving equal rights to everyone over producing the greatest happiness for the largest amount of people. This theory of justice is one of moral conduct that applies to all the obligations that our societies have toward each other.

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