Utilitarianism and Today

Last Saturday in class the discussion transitioned from searching for God to Ethics.  Now ethics is one that takes everything we have discussed up to this point in the semester and develops much of how we proceed in our ideologies.  As with each class I begin with “what do you believe”, “why do you believe what you believe”, and “how do you support your beliefs”.

With ethics come 4 basic theories: Divine Command Theory, Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Virtue Ethics. So we consider whether we are in harmony with God’s commands, our actions are morally right if it maximizes over all wellbeing or happiness, morally right if the motive of the action is good, or if the individual has the virtues to perform the action. 

The ideologies are virtue, right, utility, and care.  Each related to one or more of the 4 theories we discuss in ethics.  And that always raises some questions that require some serious critical thinking.  So whether you are talking politics or feminism or right-to-life we have to determine what our – OUR – reasoning be it egoism or altruism.  “Why did you work at the soup kitchen Saturday?” “Because there are so many needy people that deserve to receive a meal.” “So the push for community service as part of your annual performance eval has nothing to do with this?”

Virtue is a topic that I have heard in this political season and I must respond with my best Inigo Montoya imitation and state; “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”  There are 4 questions one should ask regarding virtuous actions; Is this who I want to be, Is this the best we can be or do, Will this policy promote the kind of community or environment we want to live in, and, What are our best purposes? Principle before privilege is one statement that is identified with virtue. Another philosopher states that an unexamined life is not worth living. 

One of my favorite topics is feminism but I won’t dwell on the topic in this discussion, except to note that many people have confused the definition of the ideology to the point of ridiculousness. However the next favorite in this study of ethics is that of utilitarianism.  And here is where I see so much happening in today’s society that seems to be revolving around the idea that everyone wants everyone else to be happy. 

One of the maxims that is identified with utility is that an act, rule, or policy is to be followed or obligatory is when compared to alternatives and if it produces the greatest utility for all involved.  So the term ‘for the greater good’ is associated with utility.  There are 3 questions to consider; what are the consequences in terms of suffering or the reverse, does any alternative action have a greater net benefit, and has the interest of every being potentially affected been equally considered?

It is these questions along with the maxim that an action is permissible that causes no harm to others and harm can only be justified by the greater good.

So I am reading all the news and thoughts about the bathroom legislation.  One side looks at this with the idea that the governing body or management has enacted a greater good policy.  I mean with one city having 26 thousand registered sex pervs to an extremely low number of transsexual, who is benefiting from the greater good argument?  Sounds like Hitler when Jews were to be exterminated for the greater good.  Who’s greater good? 

So I am reading through one of my texts I use and the basics of utilitarianism is that of human happiness is the ultimate moral good, and actions should be evaluated in the light of their consequences.  Oh boy, and there is much to be said about pleasure and happiness.  So one of the 26k sex pervs gets pleasure but will not be happy when he gets his head caved in by a former UFC fighter that saw him go into the ladies restroom after his young daughter.  Or as one philosopher stated, utilitarianism is not easily compatible with our thinking about moral rights.

There is so much more I could write on this subject but I won’t right now. 

Part II

How is utilitarianism working out?  From one of the references I used in class the authors’ states that utility desires a view or a look in to the future and determine the consequences of the actions or decisions made.  The problem is that the future is an infinite.  In other words we never see the infinite.  But let’s say the action of today is changed or undone in 5 years.  What will be the impact?  We are seeing that with our constitutional rights.  How much future do we know?

So with the basics of pain is bad and pleasure is good we seek pleasure for everyone.  One of the down ticks is that what might be pleasure for you might not equal pleasure for me.  We try to establish an objective view but then we have a problem establishing such.  And who cares if there is more pain or if there is more pleasure? 

Such a challenge and a force to be reckoned with.