Introduction
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory with defined concepts that remain unchanged regardless of the domain where it is utilized or the characterization that describes the normative premise. The main premise is the emphasis on the maximization of one’s well-being. Moreover, one’s happiness cannot be more important than the happiness of another individual. The ethical theory addresses the main concepts: the intrinsic value of one’s happiness, the importance of operating under the premise of well-being as the primary value, and happiness being equally important regardless of the individual.
The Value of Happiness
Happiness is the primary concern based on the theory of utilitarianism. Thus, the vital goal is to base actions on the idea of improving one’s well-being and pleasure. The ethical theory applies to multiple domains, including healthcare. Since patient-centered care is concerned with the satisfaction and individual choices and preferences of the patient, such aspects of medical services are illustrations of the utilitarian paradigm. Even if consequences may not be favorable from a medical perspective, the patient has the choice to remain happy by choosing treatment and, thus, outcomes. Another concept that may seemingly apply to other theories yet is also utilitarian is managing healthcare through budget constraints. Based on the premise of utilitarianism, the actions that combine the provision of adequate services while reducing the budget fit the concept due to the promotion of the well-being of all the stakeholders involved in the process (Marseille & Kahn, 2019). Thus, multiple aspects of happiness can be addressed in regard to this particular ethical theory.
Righteous Actions
According to utilitarianism, the only actions that can be labeled as righteous are those centered around improving one’s happiness. On the other hand, the actions that may lead to positive consequences, yet unhappiness are to be avoided. Researchers describe this concept as maximizing the greater good through physical efforts, which is a direct call for action toward a particular goal (Savulescu et al., 2020). In terms of the area of healthcare, the notion is also exercised by the patient’s right to autonomous decisions in regard to preferences, beliefs, and desires.
Equality
As mentioned prior, another vital premise of utilitarianism as an ethical theory is that the happiness of one individual cannot be more or less important than the happiness of another person. Thus, the consequences of one’s action are to be aimed toward the greater good. This is the concept that exemplifies the differences between utilitarianism, which focuses on consequences, vs. deontology, which is based on norms (Hennig & Hütter, 2020). In terms of utilitarian norms, societal well-being is more emphasized than patient-centered care since this approach implies the happiness of a singular entity and the possible negative implication in the broader sense.
Conclusion
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that addresses the well-being of society and does not differentiate between a righteous action and one that is aimed toward one’s happiness. The goal is to create the most favorable condition for most individuals, which does not align with other ethical norms that consider norms or virtues. Instead, based on this particular set of principles, an action cannot be considered suitable unless it promotes happiness. Moreover, happiness is a broad notion that covers the satisfaction of the majority as it is more significant than the interests of a particular individual or small minority. Thus, utilitarianism, as applied in various fields, including healthcare, is designed to benefit societal well-being.
References
Hennig, M., & Hütter, M. (2020). Revisiting the divide between deontology and utilitarianism in moral dilemma judgment: A multinomial modeling approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 118(1), 22–56. Web.
Marseille, E., & Kahn, J. G. (2019). Utilitarianism and the ethical foundations of cost-effectiveness analysis in resource allocation for global health. Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine, 14(1). Web.
Savulescu, J., Persson, I., & Wilkinson, D. (2020). Utilitarianism and the pandemic. Bioethics, 34(6), 620–632. Web.
Appendix A
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Appendix B
Demographic Information for Cummings et al. (2002)’s Review
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