Utilitarianism: Normative Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism: Normative Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism is a normative ethical theory that suggests the best action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number of people, and in some cases, sentient beings. It is a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome. The most prominent advocates of utilitarianism have been Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

Core Principles

1. Utility or The Greatest Happiness Principle: Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. Happiness is defined as pleasure and the absence of pain.

2. Equality: Each person’s happiness counts the same. When calculating the greatest happiness, everybody’s happiness is considered equally.

Types of Utilitarianism

– Act Utilitarianism: Assesses each separate act according to whether it maximizes pleasure over pain.

– Rule Utilitarianism: Suggests that we follow rules that, in general, are likely to lead to the greatest good for the greatest number.

Examples

1. Trolley Problem: A trolley is headed towards five people tied up on the tracks. You can pull a lever to switch the trolley to another track, where there is one person tied up. A utilitarian approach would suggest pulling the lever to kill one person instead of five, as it results in the greatest good for the greatest number.

2. Vaccination Policies: From a utilitarian perspective, mandatory vaccination policies can be justified because they protect the majority of the population from diseases. Even if some individuals may experience side effects, the overall benefit to public health outweighs the risks.

3. Environmental Policies: Implementing strict environmental regulations can be seen as utilitarian because they aim to prevent long-term harm to the planet and its inhabitants. Even if these policies might lead to economic disadvantages for some industries in the short term, the overall well-being of future generations is prioritized.

4. Lockdowns During a Pandemic: Imposing lockdowns to control the spread of a virus can be viewed through a utilitarian lens. The temporary restriction of individual freedoms and the economic impact are considered less significant than saving lives and preventing the healthcare system from being overwhelmed.

Criticisms

Utilitarianism has been criticized for potentially justifying immoral acts. For example, if torturing a person would lead to information that could prevent a larger harm, utilitarianism might suggest that torture is morally acceptable in this scenario. Critics argue that this approach can violate individual rights and justice.

Moreover, the theory assumes that we can accurately predict the outcomes of our actions, which is often not possible in complex situations.