Question

Briefly highlight the problems associated with utilitarian thinking. Exemplify

Answer 1

The problems associated with utilitarian thinking are as follows-

1. Measuring happiness is difficult- for example when I go on routine checkup my doctor told me that my all reports are clear, it gives me very much happiness at that time but after 15 days it is not giving me that much of happiness, so you cannot measure happiness.

2. Utilitarian thinking only focuses on consequences of action, regardless of the action itself- for example a policeman assumes that writing tickets at an intersection will create a safe intersection environment for everyone but suppose that while writing the ticket at the intersection, a fatal accident occurs due to the officer disrupted the traffic. In this situation unintended consequences could not have been predicted.

3. Happiness should not be the only consequence or goal that matters in some ethical dilemmas

4. When utilitarian decisions benefit the majority at the expense of the minority, minority’s rights may not be taken into account. For example you do sacrifice your child to save two strangers because two’s happiness or life is more than one.

5. It could require us to violate the standards of justice. For example a person has committed crime like some social unrest resulting in injuries. As the judge, you know if you sentence a man to death, the town will be calmed and peace restored. If you set him free, even more unrest will erupt. Utilitarian thinking seems to require punishing in this situation because it gives majority happiness.

6. It cannot answer all the ethical questions