Consequences Of Act Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that holds, that an action is right if it produces, or if it tends to produce, the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people affected by the action, otherwise the action is wrong" (DeGeorge, 44). The utilitarian approach assesses each action separately and the effects that arise from it. Act utilitarianism, the most common form used in many circumstances, looks at the consequences of each individual act and calculate utility each time the act is performed (Hinman, 24). Act utilitarianism works out the benefits before taking a morally right action. Rule utilitarianism looks at the consequences of everyone follow a particular rule and calculates the overall utility of accepting and rejecting
During this time the competition and pressure were intense. Wanting to be able to compete with the Japanese imports Ford created and rushed the production for their new Pinto. In making a reliable and safe car, production time usually last 43 months. The production for the pinto was finished in 25 months. The rush production and designed kept the price to sell less than $2,000. The test for rear end impact wasn’t tested until after it was produced and it failed. Ford Engineers knew that the testing for the rear end impact was a standard safety procedure. Engineers also knew of the major flaw on the car’s design. The fuel system was highly susceptible to rupturing and could lead to explosion. Because cars were already being assembled and wanting to meet the non-negotiable specifications set by Lee Iacocca Ford went ahead and released the car just to beat the competition. So the Ford Pinto went on sale with dangerous faults in the position of the fuel tank and the tendency for the fuel valve to leak in accidents if het from the rear (Leggett 1999). The car sold well, seven years after the release date through 1978 when it was finally recalled to have the baffle inserted. The cost benefit analysis demonstrated an abuse of utilitarian principles and the engineers were fully aware of the flaws yet the company continued to sell the car as it was with safety modifications. For $6.65 to $11 per car a baffle could’ve been placed between the bumper and gas tank and the Pinto would have compared to other cars of its class with respect to the danger of fire from rear end impact. Ford weighed the risk of harm and the overall cost of avoiding it. Did Ford put a price on human lives or was Ford trying to compete with foreign car companies to put an American vehicle made fuel efficient on the