FEB. 21 ethics notes
(communist dictum: From each according to his ability--to each according to his needs. Not
utilitarian based on poor economy/ oppressive
regimes in socialist nations. )
Criticisms of utilitarianism continued--
3)Doesn't tell us to decide for smaller good
for greater number, or greater good for smaller number. 20 billion people, one"hedon"
apiece, or give 1 billion 10 each and 20 billion get 1 apiece--uneven distribution of happiness seldom an issue for the powerful.
4)Too difficult to calculate consequences--hedonistic calculus of Bentham (pleasure-pain
= "net pleasure")Intensity, duration, certainty or uncertainty, propinquity or remoteness, fecundity. Too complicated, nobody wants to decide everything through this. Mill's comeback is that you can use general rules of thumb to guide you, and break when needed. The utilitarian comeback to TOO PERMISSIVE (2):You would calculate the
negative consequences of your actions before
killing the student for his guts--incite fear of hospitals, people not going spread disease, all schooling and his ability to contribute would be lost in jail.Negative effects of the "hanging sheriff" eg. would also be forseen by the sheriff--fear of the law, loss of faith in just-us system, etc.
they claim stronger moral intuitions in favor of utilitarianism.
CRITICS REBUTTAL:Isn't it wrong to kill a person because of what you do to them and not because of the social consequences?
-and, THE PUBLICITY REQUIREMENT--if you don't get caught, there are no social consequences.