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Could anybody tell me if this paragraph is too long, not specific enough, etc etc?

The question is “Critically assess the view that Utilitarianism provides a helpful way to make moral decisions.” Its worth 40 marks and the exam board is OCT.

“It may be argued that Utilitarianism provides a straightforward and simple way of judging moral decisions as it states that whichever actions result in the least amount of pain and greatest amount of pleasure is the morally correct decision. However, St Augustine would argue that pleasure on an extreme scale could be dangerous and addictive and result in pain and distress further in the future. For example, smoking cigarettes may cause feelings of euphoria during the act and a short period following but the smoker could later develop terminal illnesses as a result of it did the initial pleasure outweigh the pain resulting on the smoker and their family? Utilitarianism would argue that immediate pleasure is superior to later pain. If we were to base moral decisions purely on people’s singular pursuit of pleasure it would result in them becoming narrow-minded and selfish, refusing to recognise the wider impacts of their actions. Therefore, Utilitarianism is an unhelpful way of making moral decisions due to its singular pursuit of pleasure.”
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Original post by cloverpatches111
The question is “Critically assess the view that Utilitarianism provides a helpful way to make moral decisions.” Its worth 40 marks and the exam board is OCT.

“It may be argued that Utilitarianism provides a straightforward and simple way of judging moral decisions as it states that whichever actions result in the least amount of pain and greatest amount of pleasure is the morally correct decision. However, St Augustine would argue that pleasure on an extreme scale could be dangerous and addictive and result in pain and distress further in the future. For example, smoking cigarettes may cause feelings of euphoria during the act and a short period following but the smoker could later develop terminal illnesses as a result of it did the initial pleasure outweigh the pain resulting on the smoker and their family? Utilitarianism would argue that immediate pleasure is superior to later pain. If we were to base moral decisions purely on people’s singular pursuit of pleasure it would result in them becoming narrow-minded and selfish, refusing to recognise the wider impacts of their actions. Therefore, Utilitarianism is an unhelpful way of making moral decisions due to its singular pursuit of pleasure.”

Hi I do the exam marking for OCR RS A level. Hard to mark an individual paragraph but I'd give it 26/40 - low B grade.

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