Chapter 5: Utilitarianism
Chapter 5: Utilitarianism
Amazon Reference:
Quote:
“Of two pleasures, if there be one to which all or almost all who have experience of both give a decided preference, irrespective of any feeling of moral obligation to prefer it, that is the more desirable pleasure.”
What I expect to learn:
I expect to learn about the theory of Utilitarianism and the consequences of its practice.
Review:
John Stuart Mill talks of a way of life that he thinks is the most practical to follow. He talks of finding what makes us happy, whatever it may be. This may strike us as pretty obvious at first but it doesn’t exactly entail the pleasure it promises to give.
If everyone were to do the things that guaranteed their happiness regardless of the moral consequences, then what would result would be nothing short of anarchy. What would happen if another person’s happiness or welfare were to stand between us and our perception of happiness? Would we go to any lengths just get what we want? According to what Mill said, that’s exactly what we should do! Let us not take into consideration what other people would think of our actions or what the consequences are, as long as we get what makes us happy then everything is okay. The dilemma here is not just on morality but on order as well. If everyone were to have the liberty to lie, cheat, steal, and kill their way to happiness, then society as we know it would have never existed. We would live in fear of other people, afraid that the next person we meet just may find that robbing us of all our possessions is what makes him happy. Life as we know it now, with all its interactions and innovations, would never have existed.
The main repercussion of following our happiness regardless of the consequences is ultimately social disorder. No one would feel safe from other people, even form family members. People would cease to interact in fear of others. This is why Mill’s theory of Utilitarianism can never be practiced. Aside from spawning social disorder, it goes against what is natural. Does every person value their own happiness over the welfare of others? No, only a very small population of criminals and gluttons does. Most people would rather pass on getting what they want if it led to another person’s harm.
Thus, utilitarianism is not only virtually impossible for a large population to practice, it would also breed social disorder, which would only ultimately destroy those who brought it about.
What I learned:
- The concept of Utilitarianism and hedonism.
- The negative consequences of the practice of Utilitarianism.
- The impracticality of Utilitarianism to general society.
Integrative Questions:
- What is Utilitarianism?
- What are some of its negative consequences?
- Why shouldn’t the immoral or amoral pursuit of happiness be done?
- If everyone were to practice utilitarianism, would everyone be ultimately happy and content? Why or why not?
- Should utilitarianism and extreme hedonism be practiced? Why or why not?
