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Practical Implications of Utilitarianism

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I present a defence of Utilitarianism against the objection that it is too demanding to be a satisfactory moral theory.

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The expert examines practical implications of utilitarianism.

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UTILITARIANISM: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

• The prescriptions of Utilitarianism diverge in many cases from what many have, and would accept, as morally correct.

1. Euthanasia
2. The treatment of non-human animals
3. The obligations of the (relatively) affluent to help the poor

See Rachels (2003), Chapter 7, for details on the first two.

• In order to ascertain to what extent the prescriptions of Utilitarianism as a moral theory coincides with what we ordinarily believe, we need a clearer idea of some of the main features of our common moral beliefs.

ORDINARY MORALITY

• Assume that there is significant overlap in the kinds of things that most of us regard as right and wrong.
Call this moral system 'ordinary morality'

• Ordinary morality is essentially a system of moral rules that sets limits to our conduct.

Thou shall not murder
Thou shall not steal, etc...

• Utilitarianism might seem to express a similar idea insofar as these prohibitions forbid causing harm to others.

FORBIDDEN ACTIONS AND OPTIONAL ACTIONS

• In ordinary morality, there is a distinction between:

1. What we are morally required to do (or not do)
2. What is good or morally significant to do, but what is not strictly required of us.

Thou shall not murder
This is something we are required to refrain from doing.

Acts of charity
Acts of charity are morally praiseworthy, but we are not strictly required to be charitable

• Actions that are morally admirable to do but not strictly required of us are called supererogatory actions.
These actions go beyond the bounds of duty

One would not be blamed for failing to do one of these things; they are optional.

UTILITARIANISM AND A DUTY OF CHARITY

• Utilitarianism eliminates the distinction between actions that are morally required of us and morally supererogatory actions.
• Utilitarianism says that we are required to do as much as we can to further the interests of others.

• EXAMPLE:

Suppose that you're thinking of spending a few hundred bucks on a weekend away. You've never been to Potgietersrus and are wondering what it's like. For some or other reason, you pause for a moment before making the final travel arrangements and wonder: is this action (or series of actions) morally permissible?

FROM THE UTILITARIAN PERSPECTIVE:

• Clearly there are other courses of action that would serve a much greater good. ...

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