Are you a utilitarianist?

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- Saif Rahman
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Are you a utilitarianist?
OP - October 19, 2009, 05:27 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its contribution to overall utility: that is, its contribution to happiness or pleasure as summed among all people. It is thus a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome.

Utilitarianism is often described by the phrase "the greatest good for the greatest number of people", and is also known as "the greatest happiness principle". Utility, the good to be maximized, has been defined by various thinkers as happiness or pleasure (versus suffering or pain), although preference utilitarians define it as the satisfaction of preferences. It may be described as a life stance, with happiness or pleasure being of ultimate importance.

Utilitarianism can be characterised as a quantitative and reductionist approach to ethics. It can be contrasted with deontological ethics (which do not regard the consequences of an act as the sole determinant of its moral worth) and virtue ethics (which focuses on character), as well as with other varieties of consequentialism. Adherents of these opposing views have extensively criticised the utilitarian view, but utilitarians have been similarly critical of other schools of thought. And like any ethical theory, the application of utilitarianism is heavily dependent on the moral agent's full range of wisdom, experience, social skills, and life skills.

In general usage, the term utilitarian refers to a somewhat narrow economic or pragmatic viewpoint. Philosophical utilitarianism, however, is a much broader view that encompasses all aspects of people's lives.

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- allat
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Re: Are you a utilitarianist?
Reply #1 - October 19, 2009, 05:37 PM

I'd say partly but leaning towards yes. The reason for the yes is because as a realist, I definitely agree that "the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome." The reason for partly is because like any rule by the majority, there's a tendency for this to become a problem for those who may be in the minority, e.g. lgbt people, whose actions may not be seen by the majority as being beneficial to the majority. Overall though, when balanced with a degree of personal liberty, I definitely can subscribe to utilitarian ethics.

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Re: Are you a utilitarianist?
Reply #2 - October 19, 2009, 05:53 PM

Quote from: allat on October 19, 2009, 05:37 PM
I'd say partly but leaning towards yes. The reason for the yes is because as a realist, I definitely agree that "the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome." The reason for partly is because like any rule by the majority, there's a tendency for this to become a problem for those who may be in the minority, e.g. lgbt people, whose actions may not be seen by the majority as being beneficial to the majority. Overall though, when balanced with a degree of personal liberty, I definitely can subscribe to utilitarian ethics.

+1

I would have thought so as well.
- Saif Rahman
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Re: Are you a utilitarianist?
Reply #3 - October 19, 2009, 07:09 PM

Quote from: allat on October 19, 2009, 05:37 PM
I'd say partly but leaning towards yes. The reason for the yes is because as a realist, I definitely agree that "the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome." The reason for partly is because like any rule by the majority, there's a tendency for this to become a problem for those who may be in the minority, e.g. lgbt people, whose actions may not be seen by the majority as being beneficial to the majority. Overall though, when balanced with a degree of personal liberty, I definitely can subscribe to utilitarian ethics.

Yes, but how are lgbt actions not beneficial to the majority. From a utilitarian perspective, I would have thought its something to be encouraged and even promoted?

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Re: Are you a utilitarianist?
Reply #4 - October 19, 2009, 08:59 PM

Well, as demonstrated by Californian voters who voted for the Prop 8 legislation during the last US election, the majority can gang up against a minority it deems to be harmful, regardless of a lack of credible reasons, based solely on the prejudices and irrational fears that the majority holds.

Quote
Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition passed in the November 2008, general election. The measure added a new section (7.5) to Article I of the California Constitution. The new section reads: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8_%282008%29

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Re: Are you a utilitarianist?
Reply #5 - October 19, 2009, 09:20 PM

From a utilitarian i.e. world happiness & functionality perspective (i.e. not limited any American or religious perspective) then their views would not get a look in. Particularly as the world is current over-population is one of our most serious problems, and making say 10% of the worlds population miserable is not in its 'manifesto'.

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