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Utilitarian
Nic Tideman: PJER
While Utilitarianism is presented above as a
version of Contractarianism, some people might argue for
Utilitarianism independently of any such foundations. If
the argument simply begins with the proposition that
aggregate utility should be maximized, then there is a
similar disregard for personhood. A person is then simply
a device for generating utility; whether the utility is
for herself or for someone else is irrelevant. People
matter only to the extent that they are generators of
utility. To those seeking explanations of why it is right
for power to be used to prevent them from achieving their
ends, this is just as dissatisfying as explanations based
on hypothetical people in a contractual setting.
The great value of utilitarianism is
as an ethical principle for allocating largess that is
rightfully one's to allocate. If a person must decide
whether to allow A to achieve purpose 1 or B to achieve
purpose 2, the judgement that purpose 1 would contribute
more to person A's utility than purpose 2 would contribute
to person B's utility is an excellent reason for deciding
in favor of person A. But justice is not concerned with
largess. It is concerned with what is due to persons just
from being persons, without having to prove their
worthiness any further. ... Read the
whole article |
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