'Evaluating Utilitarianism' - What are the main features of Utilitarianism as an ethical theory? Examine and consider criticisms that have been made against Utilitarianism.

What are the main features of Utilitarianism as an ethical theory? (10 marks) Examine and consider criticisms that have been made against Utilitarianism. (10 marks) Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that pivots around the belief that morality should be judged by consequence and the way in which an action can be deemed moral or immoral, depends upon the number to which it brings the greatest happiness. A decision can be defined as ethically correct under the theory …

…aking a moral choice. However, there are several undermining factors of the policy, which in collectively weaken its argument. Although Bentham's policy of seeking the greatest amount of pleasure for the most number of people is ethically correct, it cannot be applied to every situation, and so Utilitarianism's downfall lies in its attempt to provide a solution for the majority in every circumstance, when in some predicaments the minority may be in the right.