Download - MORALITY AND ETHICS (cont.)
MORALITY AND ETHICS
(cont.)
UtilitarianismJohn Stuart Mill (1806-1873), English philosopher
A form of consequentialism
An act is judged to be moral or immoral according to its consequences.
Instrumentalist good vs. Intrinsic good
Instrumentalist good: good as a means by which to realize an intrinsic good, e.g. medicine
Intrinsic good: something good in and of itself, e.g. happiness
Utilitarianism (cont.)
Happiness and the absence of suffering are the ultimate intrinsic goods.
The goal of morality is to maximize happiness (“the greatest good for the greatest number”)
An act is good if it maximizes the collective happiness and minimizes the collective suffering.
Problems with UtilitarianismSeemingly immoral acts can be judged moral,
e.g. killing an innocent person.
Consequences are often difficult or impossible to predict.
The morality of an act may depend on chance (how the consequences happen to play out).
How can you calculate units of goodness (utiles)?
Happiness and lack of suffering may not be the only intrinsic goods.
Varieties of Utilitarianism
Act utilitarianism classic utilitarianism
Preference utilitarianism aim to maximize the fulfillment of people’s
preferences, rather than happiness
Rule utilitarianism act in accordance with rules that, in the long
run, tend to maximize happiness/preferences
Comparison of ethical systemsMain idea
Virtue ethics: We should cultivate the virtues and act in accordance with them. Virtues include wisdom, generosity, kindness, justice, pride, courage, honesty
Deontological ethics: follow strict moral laws, e.g. do not murder, do not lie, do not steal
Utilitarian ethics: Act to maximize total happiness (and lack of suffering) among all people
Simplification of main idea (for discussion):
Virtue ethics: be good
Kantian ethics: do what’s right
Utilitarianian ethics: do what will have good consequences
Justification:
Virtue ethics: Man’s natural function (telos) as a rational animal
Kantian ethics: universalizability of moral laws
Utilitarianism: Pleasure is good, pain is bad
Principles:
Virtue ethics: be a good (well-balanced/rational) person
Kantian ethics: Always treat a person as an end, not just an means
Utilitarianism: Promote the greatest good for the greatest number
Ultimate goal:
Virtue ethics: eudemonia (the good life)
Kantian ethics: uphold the worth and dignity of every person
Utilitarian ethics: maximize happiness
Main practical problems:
Virtue ethics: vague
Kantian ethics: rigid
Utilitarianism: may justify seemingly wrong actions
Thought experiments
Philosophers love thought experiments!
Test consistency of beliefs.
e.g. Kid breaks a vase
Should he lie to his Mom? What’s the harm?
Ethical thought experiments
A way to compare different ethical systems.
Which ethical system is consistent with our pre-theoretical beliefs?
A terrorist has secretly planted a bomb on Mr. G, and Mr. G. is now (innocently) walking into a crowded theatre. The bomb will be detonated in 5 minutes, killing hundreds. You are too far away to stop Mr. G, but you can shoot him down, killing him and saving hundreds. Should you?
Trolley case
A runaway train is about to hit 5 people on Track A. Should you throw a switch to make the train go down Track B, where one person is standing (and will be hit).
A runaway train is about to hit 5 people standing on the track. Should you push a fat man in front of the train?
Transplant case
Kill one innocent bystander and transplant his organs to five patients to save their lives
Suggested readings
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, at: http://plato.stanford.edu/
Entries on: Consequentialism and Deontological Ethics and Virtue Ethics
Mill, John Stuart, Utilitarianism (1863), available at: www.utilitarianism.com/mill1.htm
Required Reading
Stephen Law, The Philosophy Gym, Chapter 17, “Killing Mary to Save Jodie”
(in ummoodle)
Quiz next week
You will be asked about a moral dilemma and expected to discuss it in relation to one or more moral ethical systems.