Please watch Michael Sandel's online lecture on utilitarianism:
Sandel 2: Putting a Price Tag on Life; and part 2 "How to Measure Pleasure"
Discuss these questions:
1) what is utilitarianism?
2) what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case?
3) what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism?
4) is torture ever right?
1) what is utilitarianism? I feel what was said over and over was the Greatest good for the greatest number is what utilitarianism.
ReplyDelete2) what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case?
As stated in class, they would send it to where the one person was because it is better to kill one person rather than numerous.
3) what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism?
People who are the minority, although taken into consideration, get the short end of the stick.
Certain rights should not be traded for utility.
4) is torture ever right?
As stated in the video, back in the day in Rome, they threw Christians to the lion for sport, the Christian thrown suffers in pain, but the Romans were happy. He said the happiness of enough Romans outweighed the pain of the one Christian.
Interesting answer to #3 that I had not considered, but you are correct - even the minority should have a voice.
DeleteHey Maura and Lorain,
DeleteThis made me think about something very interesting regarding our (White America) position in the ethical hierarchy. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that by 2043 white Americans will no longer make up the majority of the U.S. population. There will still be more whites, but there will be more minorities than whites. It makes me wonder how utilitarianism theory will apply to future issues in the U.S. regarding the white population???? Things that make me go HMMMMM!!!!!
You all have some great insight!
Jeremy
•what is utilitarianism? what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case? An utilitarianism would say that the decision was right if it brought the best outcome of the choices available based upon the consequences. Happiness, pleasures. So for example, in the trolley case a utilitarian would say to kill the one individual instead of five because it is effects less people.
ReplyDelete•what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism? How do you have enough time to understand the impact of the decision you are making before you have to make the decision?
•Is torture ever right? In my opinion no. For a utilitarian if it brought the greatest good to the greater population then yes potentially.
1) what is utilitarianism? If the greater good benefits, it's good.
ReplyDelete2) what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case? Steer to kill the one and spare the five. Saving the five is better than killing the one.
3) what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism? How can killing anyone be okay? Why not come to an amicable understanding about the situation or issue and nobody die. In cases where death isn't an issue...how can you fully understand the impact one life has had or will have in the future if you have no way of knowing their life path. Nobody knows this (except God).
4) is torture ever right? In some instances, I do believe torture is right. In cases where children have been abused, I believe it's acceptable punishment.
Jody, I can tell you are a mom (and we think alike) - that is a moral dilemma that many parents have had to deal with - if someone abuses a child, I think that if they make it to prison, they are dealt with in that way. Would that give the greatest pleasure for the masses or just the parents.
Delete1) what is utilitarianism?
ReplyDeleteTo Maximize pleasure or minimize pain for the greatest number of people.
2) what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case?
A utilitarian would save the five while sacrificing the one.
3) what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism?
In the case of the trolley it still means we kill some, we kill less someones but we still kill someone. It's playing God and it's not right or just.
In the general sense, historically when people talk about doing things for "the greater good" it usually ends up terribly. A delusional idea of "the greater good" has led to some of the most horrific historical events, but again so has putting the need of the few about the needs of the many. Some of examples of "the greater good" being used to do terrible things would be The Crusades where "Christians" went out to "save" or "cleanse" the "savages" in other countries. Or when Christopher Columbus invaded the Americas bringing disease, vermin, and eventually death to the natives. And then the European invasion of the Americas where the Europeans slaughtered Native Americans in order to expand and grow to accommodate the needs of the many. Violating individual basic human rights to satisfy others wants or needs seems backwards to me. I think it is important to try as best as possible to protect individual human rights versus blanketing a group of people with one general command. I keep coming back to thoughts of the environment and how humans have for a long time seen the greater good as more important than protecting our earth as best we can for the next generation. We mine and use coal, oil, and other fossil fuels, like they are sustainable, and that the mining doesn't hurt the environment and the people around it. We cull hundreds of endangered sharks to "protect the humans" who are too stupid to realized that they are entering as sharks home looking like food. We (as a whole) use up resources and then toss them in a junk yard or worse into the environment like the ocean without a care of what it means down the road. In an attempt to produce enough viable crop, we have altered our food so much that it poisons some of our people. Our great grandchildren won't know what a live Orca looks like because there won't be any left for the amount of flame retardant chemicals being dumped into the ocean in California that is sterilizing them.
This concept gets more complicated with the individuals involved. If the one or few are bad people doing bad things to other people, you should stop them, by any means necessary right?
4) is torture ever right?
I don't think that torture is right, and I don't agree with it. That being said, I am aware that our government uses and has used it to obtain information from our enemies that has proven to save many lives. I think it is terrible that it would have to come to that, but I don't know that I could say, "no don't cut off his fingers for information," if it meant saving a school full of children. I think it's terrible, and can become a slippery slope, and give depraved individuals too much power over prisoners if left unchecked. But again could I spare someone knowing their holding information that could save lives.
So do you agree or disagree with torture? You start to contradict yourself.
DeleteWhat would a utilitarian say?
Kimberly - I was discussing this with my husband after reading the initial post and his perspective was the same with regards to the government. They interrogated captives or other people that can provide information to get to what they need. Some people may consider this torture and it the greater scheme of things is required.
Delete1) what is utilitarianism?
ReplyDelete- Happiness of the greatest number of people in the society is considered the greatest good.
2) what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case?
- they would chose to lose the life of one person in order to save the life of 4-5 others.
3) what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism?
- That no matter how you look at it there's a level of immorality behind the killing of one innocent person in order to save anyone.
4) is torture ever right?
- torture is not right period but if you are trying to save the lives of many people by torturing one person then you could have an argument that it's for a good cause.
1) what is utilitarianism? Utilitarianism is an ethical theory based on the principal of utility. Utility maximizes pleasure or minimizes pain for the greatest number.
ReplyDelete2) what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case? A utilitarian would save the lives of the 5 workers while sacrificing the life of the lone worker. By saving the five, the utilitarian would minimize the pain for the greatest number.
3) what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism? Are all wants and satisfactions measurable.? Can everything be reduced to monetary terms? How do you take into account the rights of minorities or individuals? What if the outcome of the utilitarian decision is incorrect? Who actually gets to make these decisions?
4) is torture ever right? A utilitarian would support torture in the short run if the outcome benefited the greater good. How do you judge the long term effects of torture? It could backfire, and bring about unintended consequences. In my opinion, torture is o.k. This is especially true when it comes to radical religious nut jobs!!!!
1) What is utilitarianism? Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that maximizes pleasure or happiness for the greater number of people.
ReplyDelete2) What would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case? A utilitarian would save the 4-5 lives; thus, minimizing harm for the greatest number.
3) What are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism? It's a violation of human rights and there are serious problems with distribution.
4) Is torture ever right? I think torture in the eyes of a utilitarian could be a necessary vessel for accomplishing a goal.
Debbie, I agree in the eyes of a utilitarian it could be necessary if it provides the better good for all involved.
Delete1) what is utilitarianism?
ReplyDelete-A principal for individuals and communities to maximize the balance of happiness over suffering
2) what would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case?
- They would choose to save five lives over the one.
3) what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism?
- How does one person know what will make others happy? How will you know your actions will result in the ultimate happiness of all? Why would killing anyone result in a positive; doesn't that go against our morals and values? Whether it is one person or five - it still feels wrong.
4) is torture ever right?
- Torture is cold-hearted and immoral, but can it be justified? It happens all the time, but how do you even know that the information being provided under those circumstances is accurate? If you know you are going to die anyway, would you give your interrogator the information they were truly seeking?
1) What is utilitarianism? The maximization of happiness or pleasure in the greater amount of the people
ReplyDelete2) What would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case? A utilitarian would look at saving the most lives possible while doing the least amount of harm, so save five versus one.
3) What are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism? Not everything in life creates the maximized happiness or pleasure – not everything in life is equal. The choices we make will ultimately cause someone harm that may have a ripple effect causing harm further down the line.
4) Is torture ever right? Well in today’s world I would say no, but our military has used torture in the past and I think that would fall into the definition of a utilitarian – making American’s happy and feel safe by torturing the “enemy” to provide information to save many lives. It’s a moral question that I am sure many leaders have wrestled with.
Hi Lorain,
DeleteI agree with you, though I think torture is terrible, I can't say that it is never necessary especially when there are innocent lives at stake and it's the last resort. Nice post.
what is utilitarianism? Happiness of the greatest number of people in the society is considered the greatest good.
ReplyDeletewhat would a utilitarian say about the Trolley case?
sacrifice the few for the masses. Because if lose is inevitable keep it low.
what are objections to or failures of the theory of utilitarianism?
Losing is never fair especially when there are innocent parties involved
is torture ever right?
torturing people is never right. considering life is precious, harming someone for one reason or another is terrible.