The utilitarian is a theory of whether human actions are right or wrong .
depending on if the action delivers positive or negative consequences for the.
people that are affected by it. The issue of capital punishment is one that is .
highly debated. People all over the world constantly examine whether or not .
this action is morally just. It is extremely difficult to produce an opinion on the .
matter unless you look at every aspect of the practice. The utilitarian attempts .
to look for an outcome that would be most positive for everyone involved. .
The fact is though, utilitarianism is the greatest overall positive consequences. .
this could mean that someone may not have favorable consequences:.
"Since the greatest good for the greatest number is described in aggregate terms, that good may be achieved under conditions that are harmful to some, so long as that harm is balanced by a greater good." (Kay, 1997).
In one aspect, the utilitarian would not oppose the death penalty, if it is looked .
at in a certain way. If a man is convicted of a savage murder of two children, .
brother and sister, the family of the children would possibly pursue the death .
penalty. If this was the case, it would likely give the family a positive resolution .
to the situation. Although it would be harmful to the murderer, a greater good .
would, in fact, balance the consequences. However, some believe that it is .
extremely difficult to determine how a situation will turn out in the future and it .
is possible that the consequences may not be as positive as first believed:.
"It is not always clear what the outcome of an action will be, nor is it always possible to determine who will be affected by it. Judging an action by the outcome is therefore hard to do beforehand." (Kay, 1997).
Although in this situation, the outcome is inevitable, it is hard to predict who .
will be affected, and the utlitarian will look into this matter. How do we know .
