The episode    explore utilitarianism, a moral philosophy centered on maximizing overall well-being. Several sources define act-utilitarianism, where the consequences of individual actions determine their rightness, contrasting it with rule-utilitarianism, which emphasizes adherence to rules that generally produce good outcomes. The excerpts also discuss criticisms of utilitarianism, including its potential conflict with deontology (duty-based ethics), issues with justice and individual rights, and the challenge of measuring and comparing happiness. Furthermore, some texts examine the psychological aspects of moral judgment, contrasting utilitarian inclinations with deontological ones and considering the role of emotion and cognition in ethical decision-making. Finally, various authors consider the application of utilitarian principles in legal, social, and political contexts, alongside alternative ethical frameworks like Kantianism and contractualism.

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