Final answer:
Classical Act Utilitarianism is an ethical theory where actions are deemed right based on their promotion of the greatest happiness. It assesses each situation individually, prioritizing actions that maximize happiness and minimize pain for the majority. Critics, however, caution that it may justify morally questionable actions if they are seen to increase overall happiness in specific instances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Classical Act Utilitarianism
Classical Act Utilitarianism is a form of utilitarian ethical theory which asserts that the rightness of an action is determined by its contribution to overall happiness, or utility. An act utilitarian employs the greatest happiness principle on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific consequences of each potential action and choosing the one that maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain for the greatest number of people. For instance, an act utilitarian might decide to donate to charity over purchasing personal luxury items, if the resultant happiness produced by aiding those in need outweighs the personal pleasure of the luxury purchase. This approach contrasts with Rule Utilitarianism, which would consider the action's conformity to a rule that tends to promote the greatest happiness when generally followed.
Classic utilitarians like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill prioritize pleasure and pain as primary motivators of human action. They hold that actions are morally right if they produce the most favorable balance of good over bad for the affected individuals. For example, in making a decision about whether to lie or tell the truth, an act utilitarian would weigh the potential happiness or harm resulting from each option and choose the action that, in that specific scenario, maximizes overall happiness.
However, act utilitarianism can be criticized for potentially justifying actions that contravene widely accepted moral standards if those actions are believed to maximize happiness in particular cases. This is a significant concern to consider when applying this ethical framework.