Utilitarianism Jeremy Bentham 1748-1832

Utilitarianism Action is best which procures the greatest happiness. Chamber’s Dictionary: A philosophical utilitarian is one who believes in promoting pleasure and happiness. (Graham, 99) The best know statement of utilitarianism is that it defines right actions as the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Military Ethics, 13.

Utilitarianism The principle of greatest happiness the centre of moral thinking Bentham defines utilitarianism as the action which leads to the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Act in accordance with those rules which, if generally acted upon, will lead to the greatest happiness. (GHP) Christians restrictions on divorce, Jewish dietary laws, etc. Example of children laughing at handicapped. However, this concept is vulnerable to the idea of justice or injustice. Read page 101 last paragraph.

Utilitarianism Utilitarian Ethics has two great strengths: 1st : It takes consequences seriously 2nd It is neutral to what things matter or are important. All that matters is that it has utility for each person effected by the action, i.e., toothpicks vs. opera. Fundamental Imperative: The fundamental imperative of utilitarianism is: Always act in the way that will produce the greatest overall amount of good in the world. The emphasis is clearly on consequences, not intentions. Example of children laughing at handicapped.

Act and Rule Utilitarianism Act utilitarianism Looks at the consequences of each individual act and calculate utility (cost) each time the act is performed. Rule utilitarianism Looks at the consequences of having everyone follow a particular rule and calculates the overall utility (cost) of accepting or rejecting the rule.

Act and Rule Utilitarianism Imagine the following scenario. Terrorists have taken innocent hostages and are about to detonate a bomb which will kill and injure many hundreds of people. The only way to stop them is to destroy their headquarters, killing the hostages at the same time. What should they do? For act utilitarians, this case in principle is no different from any other calculation about good and bad consequences, and if the good outweighs the bad then there is nothing wrong with the action. There is no dilemma to agonize over. For rule utilitarians, the choice is more complex. No one would approve a general rule that lets people kill innocent hostages. The consequences of adopting such a general rule would be highly negative and would certainly undermine public trust in the establishment. (Graham, 144-145) It is the consequence of actions that matter from a moral point of view. Utilitarianism is one way of answering the moral question, i.e., what is the right thing to do.

Criticisms of Utilitarianism As soon as the happiness of two other people conflicts with your own happiness, you lose out. Being a moral person quickly becomes quite difficult. Utilitarianism requires that we choose the act that produces the greatest good for the greatest number. Does Utilitarianism do justice to Justice? Does an act which allows the best consequence necessarily just? The moral decision. What should I have for dinner? Utilitarianism seems to require that we violate people’s rights on occasion.

The Problem w/Morality Perhaps the problem lies with morality itself. However we conceive it, whether along utilitarian, Kantian or some other lines, we can always ask what the basis of morality itself is. There are too quite different explanations that are commonly offered. The first is that the basis of morality is social agreement, and the other that morality is ultimately rooted in religion. (Graham, 161) Show Video Clip of Spock and CPT Kirk The moral decision. What should I have for dinner?

Triangulation There are three distinct fundamental aspects of ethics: Good consequences (consequentialism) Following ethical rules or principles (deontology) Good character or virtue (virtue ethics) Many apply each of the best aspects of the above to an ethical dilemma and try to come up with the best answer. The moral decision. What should I have for dinner?

Triangulation Steps in Ethical Triangulation 1st Step: Ask yourself what rules or ethical principles apply to the situation we are considering (deontology), i.e., set of ethical rules or duties. 2nd Step: Consider the possible consequences of our actions. Weighing the consequences may favor one course of action over another where deontological principles may conflict. 3rd Step: Look at the situation through a virtue ethics lens, i.e., shift issue from ourselves. We ask ourselves whether this course of action favor what a virtuous person would do? Perhaps using practical wisdom and experience. The moral decision. What should I have for dinner?

Apply the Ethical Decision-Making Method as a Commander, Lead Conditions: Given FM 22-100, Uniform Code of Military Justice (Article 90), and a situation as a commander, leader, or staff member which requires you to make an ethical decision. Standards: Justified your course of action by demonstrating sound reasoning and judgment in the application of the Ethical Decision-Making Method IAW AR 22- 100. Training and Evaluation Guide Performance Steps: 1. Clearly define the ethical problem. 2. Employ applicable laws and regulations. 3. Reflect on the ethical values and their ramifications. 4. Consider other applicable moral principles. 5. Reflect upon appropriate ethical theories. 6. Commit to and implement the best ethical solution. 7. Assess results and modify plan as required.

Apply the Ethical Decision-Making Method as a Commander, Lead Performance Evaluation Guide Evaluation Preparation: Provide service-member with references listed below. Prepare a scenario that requires the soldier to respond accurately, IAW task standards, to the following performance measures. This may be presented orally or in writing. Brief Service-member: Tell the service-member that he or she will be required to correctly respond on at least 70 percent of the performance measures to receive a GO on the task.

Apply the Ethical Decision-Making Method as a Commander, Lead Performance Measures Results 1. Defined the ethical problem GO / NO-GO 2. Identified and accurately applied all relevant laws and regulations 3. Correctly identified all appropriate ethical values. 4. Determined all relevant guiding moral principles from the ethical values chosen 5. Identified and accurately applied all other relevant moral principles to the ethical problem 6. Identified all appropriate ethical theories that helped explain and justify the ethical solution. 7. Chose a course of action which reflected sound judgment and a thorough analysis of steps one through five. 8. Selected the best method to implement the course of action. 9. Implemented the course of action in accordance with a plan. 10. Accessed results and modified the plan as appropriate.