Explain why it would be incorrect to say that AU is the view that an action is morally right just in case it causes more pleasure than any alternative
What is AU?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=711&bih=453&noj=1&sclient=psy-ab&q=AU&oq=AU&gs_l=serp.3..0l8j0i3j0.5363125.5365051.0.5365602.3.3.0.0.0.0.163.390.1j2.3.0.les%3Bcqn%2Ccconf%3D1-2%2Cmin_length%3D2%2Crate_low%3D0-035%2Crate_high%3D0-035%2Csecond_pass%3Dfalse%2Cnum_suggestions%3D2%2Cignore_bad_origquery%3Dtrue..0.0...1c.1.3bhslB4maC0
act utilitarianism
just in case?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_utilitarianism
It would be incorrect to say that AU (Act Utilitarianism) is the view that an action is morally right just in case it causes more pleasure than any alternative. Act Utilitarianism evaluates the morality of an action by considering the overall consequences it produces, specifically the amount of pleasure and pain it generates.
To understand why this statement is not entirely accurate, we need to delve into AU's core principles. Act Utilitarianism holds that an action is morally right if it maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people affected by the action. Utility, in this context, typically refers to pleasure or happiness and is seen as the ultimate measure of morality in AU.
However, AU does not blindly prioritize an individual's immediate pleasure without considering any other relevant factors. It doesn't solely focus on the amount of pleasure an action produces, but rather takes into account the net balance of happiness over unhappiness for all individuals involved. Thus, the claim that AU considers an action morally right solely based on it producing more pleasure than any alternative oversimplifies its stance.
When applying AU, one must consider the possible consequences of different courses of action and evaluate them based on the total expected happiness they would generate, taking into account the intensity, duration, and extent of the pleasure or pain caused. Context, magnitude, and the distribution of happiness are also crucial factors in determining the moral value of an action in AU.
To determine whether an action is morally right or wrong according to AU, one needs to consider not only the amount of pleasure generated but also factors such as fairness, justice, and the long-term effects of the action on overall happiness. So, it is incorrect to say that AU only focuses on pleasure and ignores alternative considerations while evaluating an action's morality.