Utilitarianism under attack

 

Persistent influence in economics of utilitarian ideas [that the aim of society should be to secure the greatest possible happiness/welfare/preference satisfaction for its citizens]; yet major philosophical attacks on them.

 

There are difficulties of definition, measurement and comparison, time and uncertainty, and focus (selfish or altruistic or do these collapse into each other?).  But it has also been held by some of the most powerful critics that utilitarianism cannot satisfactorily accommodate certain fundamental values.  Examples are:

 

a.      integrity/individual responsibility

 

Williams:   ‘George’ example (job in biological welfare research)

                  ‘Jim’ example (execute one to secure release of 19)

 

Nozick:      ‘The experience machine’ (why not just plug in?)

 

b.      justice

 

Rawls:       Consider a system of slavery: how should we deal with utility slave-owners get from their slaves’ work?

 

c.       liberalism

 

Sen:           ‘Prude’ and ‘lewd’ example (possible conflict between Pareto considerations and liberalism if preferences are ‘meddlesome’)

 

d.      equality

 

Sen: (refer next session)

 

Glover’s general comment: ‘Many critics have thought the utilitarian goal of the highest total happiness disturbingly impersonal.’

 

[BUT, are there any escape routes for utilitarianism?]

 

(Dr. J G T Meeks)