Act utilitarianism is a utilitarian theory of ethics that states that a persons act is morally right if and only if it produces the best possible results in that specific situation. It is based on the principle of utility, which is the basis of all utilitarian theories and is best summed up in Benthams well-known phrase, "the greatest happiness for the greatest number". Act utilitarianism evaluates an act by its actual consequences, whereas rule utilitarianism evaluates an action by the consequences of its general or universal practice (by all other) .
Key features of act utilitarianism include:
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Principle of utility: The principle of utility states that we should perform the action that will create the greatest net utility, or well-being, in a given situation.
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Case-by-case basis: Act utilitarians believe that the principle of utility should be applied on a case-by-case basis, and that the right action in any situation is the one that yields more utility than other available actions.
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Objective moral answers: One advantage of act utilitarianism is that it shows how moral questions can have objectively true answers, rather than being subjective and dependent only on peoples desires or sincere beliefs.
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Contrast with rule utilitarianism: Act utilitarianism is often contrasted with rule utilitarianism, which states that the morally right action is the one that is in accordance with a moral rule whose general observance would create the most happiness.
Critics of act utilitarianism argue that it can lead to morally questionable actions if the consequences of an action are not fully understood or if the principle of utility is not applied carefully.
