RULE UTILITARIANISM
Follow the rule which leads to the greatest happiness (if everyone followed it)

If the rule you're following in your action would lead to non-optimal consequences, the the act is wrong.

Utilitarianism vs. Deontology
consequences vs. the principle

Utilitarianism- everything is based on the outcome of choosing between two moral choices
Deontology- the consequences mean nothing, it all rests on the initial moral principle

Should I lie to my mom about my bad grades?
Don't lie to get out of trouble or for personal gain.
The utilitarian says its okay to lie if it will save people's lives, or spare another person's sorrow or feelings

Bernard Williams is against Utilitarianism-
We discussed two examples from the book:
1)George is offered a job at a bio-chemical plant. He needs to support and feed his family, and he needs the money, yet he knows that the job goes against his moral standards and he wouldn't feel good about what he was doing. On the other hand, if he doesn't take the job, somebody else will.
What should he do?
2)Jim is offered a chance to save 19 men from being executed, if he does the deed of killing only one of the 20 that are lined up and about to be shot anyway. It goes against everything he believes in to execute the man himself, yet, if he doesn't choose to kill one of the men, then all 20 will most certainly die.
Which action would sit best with Jim's moral beliefs?
Williams believes its okay for George and Jim to opt out of the choices, in order to uphold integrity and principles. George doesn't have to take the job, because he doesn't believe in the process. Jim should walk away, because otherwise, he would be involved.

Williams: Utilitarianism alienates us from our deeply held moral principles; morality can't require you to become a murderer, thief, etc...

Where is the responsibility in all of this?
Doing Vs. Allowing....

Next time, Kant-Deontology