Act and rule utilitarianism

Abstract

Utilitarianism is one of the most widely discussed and influential moral theories. Utilitarianism evaluates actions based solely on their outcomes, and defines “good” as the maximization of utility or well-being. Two of the most common interpretations of the theory are act and rule utilitarianism. Act utilitarianism judges each action based on its individual utility, while rule utilitarianism focuses on the overall utility of rules, policies, and other general principles. This article discusses the dispute between the two variations of the theory, presenting the arguments for and against both act and rule utilitarianism. Additionally, it acknowledges the potential flaws with each and proposes possible responses to the criticisms. – AI-generated abstract.