How do I structure an exam question asking me to assess the view that utilitarianism can be used to justify immoral acts?

A good Philosophy essay requires structure and argument. When writing philosophy essays I follow a structure of: Point; Argument; Example; Counter Argument; Response to Counter Argument. I would aim to make at least four points per essay and below is a fairly brief example of one such point.

Point or Thesis: "It is my view that Utilitarianism can be used as a tool for justifying immoral acts".

Argument: "It is my view that this is the case because the relative subjectivity of the notion of utility allows room for a 'tyranny of the majority' which can lead to the minimising of minority rights".

Example: "For example, one could use utilitarianism to justify the Holocaust by claiming the Jewish minority group's suffering is outweighed by the pleasures of the non-Jewish majority".

Counter Argument: "One could argue that, according to the Hedonic Calculus, the intensity and extent of the Jewish minority group's suffering are significantly more so than those of the non-Jewish majority's. Therefore, it could be argued that utilitarianism cannot be used to justify immoral acts."

Response to Counter Argument: "This, in my view, is incorrect for the reason that there are no provisions made for the 'user' of the Hedonic Calculus. Depending on the person using it the values of intensity and so on could be manipulated in such a way that the suffering of a minority group could be understated according to that person's prejudices."

Related Philosophy and Ethics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Compare and contrast Bentham's Utilitarianism with Mill's.


What is meant by the term "theodicy"?


What is Utilitarianism?


Explain the difference between the Irenaeus and Augustine theodicies (solution to the problem of the evil)?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences