Abstract
This paper argues that a rule utilitarianism approach is perhaps the most valid normative model for the construction of society in that it is, first and foremost, an adaptative model that contends that criteria of utility must be applied with common sense. This argument is written from the perspective of a judge. The paper further states that this approach, unlike pure utilitarianism, right based theories, justice theories or virtue ethics, offers the strongest normative model for the construction of society.

From the Paper
"When I first became a judge I knew there were certain people in town I wasn't supposed to touch. I knew that if I was to remain a judge, this was so. But how in God's name do you expect me to look the other way at the murder of six million people? - Spencer Tracy as Judge Haywood, Judgment at Nuremberg In the application of four major ethical or normative theories to the problem of the construction of a desired society, one must inevitably address the issue of realism. While some might question the significance..."

Tags:ethics, state, society

Abstract
This paper explains that act utilitarianism involves independent acts; whereas, rule utilitarianism involves the laws people observe while they act; act utilitarianism believes that people must do whichever action will cause the maximum good and the minimum ill; whereas, rule utilitarianism believes that people must observe laws, which will cause the maximum good and the minimum ill for everybody involved. The author points out that act utilitarianism states it would be ethically incorrect to fritter away hours on recreational pursuits like viewing television because it would be better spent on more societal welfare like philanthropic activities; however, banning recreational actions does not appear justifiable. The paper concludes that, hypothetically, the optimum purpose and law may be act utilitarianism; however, this might be idealistically insubstantial because any type of utilitarianism has to admit the inclination of the people to follow general laws.

From the Paper
"As per act utilitarianism, it is the importance of the outcomes of the specific act that matters while resolving if the act is correct. Act utilitarianism asserts that acts are to be weighed as correct or erroneous only on the worth of integrity or immorality of their outcomes. While evaluating the integrity of the outcomes, the sole entity that counts is well being which causes somebody's living to progress smoothly for him or her. Well-being is the only entity that is excellent for its individual reason. Act utilitarianism also asserts that the appropriate act can be construed as such that generates the highest total of well being whilst evaluating without any prejudice intensifications and attenuation in the well being of every one impacted by the act."

Tags:independent, laws, integrity, idealistic, logic

Abstract
This paper discusses four major ethical or normative theories to the problem of the construction of a desired society. It looks at the significance of realism in normative analysis. The paper analyzes the film, "Judgment at Nuremberg," directed by Stanley Kramer in order to illustrate the challenges of devising a normative ethical viewpoint given the ethical complexity inherent in modern society.

From the Paper
"While Nazi Germany is an extreme example it is, unfortunately, representative of many tyrannies in human history in which a minority has seen its rights stripped, and claims of justice and community values/virtue dismissed, to supply the happiness or greater utility of the majority. The system of slavery in the American South prior to the Civil War represents precisely a model of precisely such a challenge."
"In this regard, a normative analysis would suggest that rule utilitarianism offers a stronger and more viable principle of utility than pure utilitarianism. Modern rule utilitarians, for example, "place heavy emphasis on human rights and freedoms" (Dwyer 163) which can be incorporated in this normative theory in a way they cannot be in pure utilitarianism."

Tags:tyranny, Nazi, justice, modern

Abstract
This paper relates Mill's statement: "To do as one would be done by, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, constitute the ideal perfection of utilitarian morality." In this way, Mill succeeds in characterizing the spirit of utilitarianism as a moral theory. The author thinks that this is because it becomes in people's self-interest to be good to others.

Tags:mill, utilitarian

Abstract
This paper explain that, when strategically analyzing cigarette advertising in Canadian, emphasis must be placed upon what could realistically be achieved given the range of conflicting interests of all of the stakeholders in this debate. The author points out that the Supreme Court of Canada in the mid-1990s struck down a carefully crafted Canadian government policy, which radically restricted advertising by tobacco companies. The paper stresses that any successful advertising strategy must form a balance between utility and rights. The author relates that the concept of rule utilitarianism is a normative ethical model that provides us with some guidance in developing a strategic approach. The paper states that this model suggests that the advertising must not only be considered in terms of pure utility but also in terms of what is practically achievable given the complex range of interested stakeholders.

From the Paper
"Within these parameters, a strategic approach would balance the utility to the Canadian public from less tobacco promotion with the rights of freedom of expression of the tobacco companies to sell their products. It would be likely, for example, that the courts would consider a ban on advertising in media where it may be easily encountered by minors/children to be an acceptable limitation on the tobacco companies' freedom of expression. For example, cigarette advertising could be banned from television, movies and radio, as these media have a considerable youth audience."

Tags:utilitarianism, rights, freedom, children, regulation

Abstract
This paper evaluates the second Amendment based on utilitarianism. In particular, the paper reviews John Stuart Mills's works, "Utilitarianism" and "On Liberty," to assess whether the Second Amendment is legitimate. The paper examines the issue on several levels, such as rule versus act utilitarianism and applies the theories of utilitarianism to attempt to clarify the legitimacy of the controversy.

From the Paper
"The structure of our society today allows the government to preside over the people, governing them with a set of laws and policies that society has deemed to be ethical and moral. These rules can be viewed to have been set forth with the intention to provide the most utility for its constituents. By establishing laws that predetermine what is lawfully right and what is not, society hopes to help citizens determine what is considered moral. Even with the existence of these laws, there is still much controversy in society about this issue. One of the on-going debates includes the legitimacy of the second amendment of the United States constitution "the right to bear arms"."

Tags:act, arms, john, mills, stuart

Abstract
This paper discusses Niccolo Machiavelli's famous work "The Prince" and explains that in it Machiavelli conveys his belief that to govern man efficiently, the Prince should be allowed to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goals and rule with fear rather than love and virtue. The paper goes on to show how although Machiavelli's purpose was to serve 15th century Italians, there are many modern leaders who have taken Machiavelli's maxims to heart.

From the Paper
"I chose Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince because even though it was written in Italy in 1505, leaders and scheming people around the world are still using his message. It is important to recognize the prevalence of Machiavelli's ideas of fear and control in modern Western civilization. An evident example of Machiavellian control was former President George Bush's Guantanamo Bay prison, wherein the prisoners were found guilty until proven innocent. This ideal is clearly stated in The Prince: "It is necessary for him who lays out a state and arranges laws for it to presuppose that all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope" (Machiavelli). Not only did Machiavelli contribute greatly to the widening spectrum of political thought at the time but his words and theories still circulate today in our modern Western society."

Tags:fear, power, control, state, utilitarianism

Abstract
The paper outlines Niccolo Machiavelli's philosophy in "The Prince" that aims to establish political stability via a strong and charismatic central authority. The paper describes how Machiavelli defines and measures virtue and looks at how Machiavellian political philosophy shares some features in common with utilitarianism. The paper examines the role of fear in the leaders' rule and looks at how Machiavelli addresses the topic of fortune and its effect on rulers and their states.

From the Paper
"For Machiavelli, virtue is defined in terms of results, and not in terms of a personal ethic. A Machiavellian ruler does whatever necessary for the health and well being of the state. Dishonesty or militarism may be parts of the leader's toolbox; and yet so might clemency (Chapter 17). Virtue is not based at all on the righteousness of a ruler's actions, but on the results of those actions. A Machiavellian ruler need not ascribe to any religious or moral code unless that code empowers the Prince. Therefore, virtue is not explicitly defined in terms of moral absolutes. Machiavelli's morality is conditional, and so is the author's definition of virtue."

Tags:virtue, fortune, fear, control, power, female

Abstract
The field of economic analysis of law is said to have begun with Jeremy Bentham who systematically examined how actors would behave in the face of legal incentives and who evaluated outcomes with respect to a clearly stated measure of social welfare (utilitarianism). This paper examines economic analysis of law seeks to answer two basic questions about legal rules. Namely, what are the effects of legal rules on the behavior of relevant actors? And are these effects of legal rules socially desirable? In answering these positive and normative questions, the approach employed in economic analysis of law is that used in economic analysis generally. The behavior of individuals and firms is described assuming that they are forward looking and rational and the framework of welfare economics is adopted to assess social desirability.

From the Paper
"But no matter how careful we might be considering the economic analysis of the situation there can be no presupposition of a truth vis--vis utilitarian ethics. If we consider that utilitarianism takes well being as the only goal for human activity, then we must identify it with happiness or desire-fulfillment. Instead, a theory of justice and rights ought to be considered important in its own right within economic ethics. Market-wise, whatever is in vogue is what will be implemented."

Tags:Calabresi, Adam, Smith, Wealth, of, Nations, Vilfredo, Pareto