Using at least one quote from one of the required readings briefly explain the ethical theory of utilitarianism.
Week 2 Discussion# 1: Objections to Utilitarianism
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This discussion runs from Tuesday, September 29,2020 – Monday, October 5, 2020.
Initial post due Thursday, October 1, by midnight
last day to participate is Monday
You must post 4 posts over 3 days.
In the course of the week’s discussion, you will need to do the following (not necessarily in this order):
Engage with the text:
Using at least one quote from one of the required readings, briefly explain the ethical theory of utilitarianism. Cite in APA
Ethical theories have core ideas, principles, and assumptions. For any ethical theory, there are objections that can be raised against those core ideas, principles, and assumptions. Several objections to utilitarianism are discussed in Chapter 3, Section 3.5 of the textbook, and John Stuart Mill (2017/1863) discusses 8 objections in Utilitarianism (in Chapter 3 of the textbook, the text can be found under “Primary Sources” and the objections under the section, “Objections and Replies”) (Thames, 2018). Utilitarianism is the theory that attempts to find how we can be happy in life and who is allowed to be happy. Utilitarianism is the theory that focuses on the greater good and attempts to figure out the thoughts and actions that help us find the happiness in life that appeals to the majority. It sounds nice, right? However, what happens when you are not in the majority? How does your happiness factor in the equation then? The main flaw with utilitarianism is that it has historically been used to justify the oppression of many groups with acts like slavery and genocide being the most heinous examples. Because of the justification of atrocious acts against other human beings, utilitarian thought requires much re-examination so that we can find a way to create happiness for all groups, or, at least, not cause other harm in our journey.
Choose one of these objections and briefly explain the core idea in your own words.
Reflect on the theory:
Present a scenario (real or imagined) in which a committed utilitarian would probably make one choice, but someone who finds this objection compelling would probably make a different choice. (In other words, put yourself in the mind of someone making that objection, and you’re imagining a scenario in which that person would likely make a certain ethical judgment but a utilitarian would make a different ethical judgment.)
Reflect on yourself:
In your view, does considering this situation strengthen and support the objection (thus showing a weakness to utilitarianism), or does it help strengthen utilitarianism by showing how a utilitarian could respond to that objection?
Discuss with your peers:
Discuss the scenarios raised by your peers, and if they use that scenario to defend utilitarianism, consider what the objector might say in response; if they use that scenario to challenge utilitarianism, consider what a utilitarian might say in response.
Make sure to include at least one academic, APA formatted citation and matching reference as support to your position.
When responding to peers, you should strive to first understand the reasons they are offering before challenging or critiquing those reasons. One good way of doing this is by summarizing their argument before offering a critique or evaluation.
Topic-Week-2-Discussion-1
Answer preview to using at least one quote from one of the required readings briefly explain the ethical theory of utilitarianism.
