Unfinished theory of Utilitarianism

Introduction

Utilitarianism is a school of thought from consequentialism. Consequentialists believe that we must guide our actions by the consequences that follow them. Utilitarian’s specifically believe that we should maximize happiness, and we ought to implement the actions that bring the most happiness overall. I will consider two cases from a utilitarian’s perspective, and then give reasons why this would not be a good theory to undertake. Our first main issue is conflicts with impartiality; a utilitarian is required to be impartial in order to produce greatest amount of happiness. Our second main issue is the idea of a ‘unit of happiness’ and how it is supposed to be measured either in terms of quantity or quality? The final main problem utilitarians are faced with is called the individual calculated system versus the rule-based system. Overall these issues demonstrate why utilitarianism is a flawed ethically theory.

Impartiality Argument

Using the first case I’m going to provide an example of how the requirement of impartiality is an unjust responsibility to enforce on others. This first case is of a surgeon who has five valuable patients who contribute vastly to the community in which they reside, that are cherished by everyone. All valuable patients have a terminal illness and will die unless they receive a specific organ. The surgeon also has a horrible patient who is hated by everybody in the community and brings no value whatsoever, he is relatively healthy and could potentially supply the five valuable patients with organs to live. Should the surgeon kill the horrible patient because all of his organs would save the five valuable patients? Being impartial is a significant part of being a utilitarian; this requ...

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...arianism has not decided on how to satisfy the conditions of producing the most happiness overall, and how to weigh quality of utility versus quantitative utility. Lastly, this theory cannot determine between a law-abiding society with general rules for everyone and a self-calculating society driven by individual actions and decisions. Thus, utilitarianism is a weak ethical theory that needs to be developed farther to have any worth.

Bibliography

1) Dimock, Susan. Phil *2070 Introduction to Ethics. Toronto, ON: York University, Feb 29th 2014.Consequentialist Lecture Notes.

2) Mill, John Stuart (1906) Utilitarianism. Chicago IL: University Of Chicago Press. Pg. 260

3) Ethical Theory: A concise anthology (2nd edition), eds. H. Geirsson and M.R. Holmgren (Peterborough, ON: Broadview Press, 2010).