M2 (Brumbaugh)

In chapter two of our book we looked at normative theories of ethics. Utilitarianism is the moral belief that “we should always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our actions’ (Shaw, 49). During Christmas two years ago, I decided to make care packages. It contained an assortment of granola bars, socks, hand sanitizer, tissues, hand warmers, a flash lights, a blanket, tooth brush and tooth paste. My goal was to walk around town giving them out to people that looked in need of these items. My action was driven by my moral ethics to help benefit the majority. I did think about how people could be offended by this gesture, and decline. One man in particular did, he let me know how disrespectful I was to ask him if he needed a care package because he could support himself. I took this situation personally since my motives came only from love and empathy. Even though I may have hurt his feelings, many others were thankful for my gesture which outweighed any negatives. These actions reflect utilitarianism, because I produced more good on a larger scale over bad over the one upset individual. Furthermore, this benefiting the community as a whole.