Chapter 10 Consequentialism Its Difficulties 2021 Measuring WellBeing

Measuring Well-Being If utilitarianism is true, the right action is the one that brings about the greatest overall well-being. But how do we measure well-being? Difficult even if only one thing contributes to well being Happiness Desire satisfaction Particularly difficult if many things directly contribute to well-being. © 2021

Measuring Well-Being (2) The Argument from Value Measurement 1) Utilitarianism is true only if there is a precise unit of measurement that can determine the value of an action’s results. 2) There is no such unit of measurement. 3) Therefore, utilitarianism is false. © 2021

Measuring Well-Being (3) How should the utilitarian respond to the Argument from Value Measurement? • Reject Premise 1. • We should all agree that some outcomes are better than others even if there is no precise measurement of value. • Is this enough to avoid the worry? © 2021

Is Utilitarianism Too Demanding? Deliberation: Motivation: Utilitarianism seems to require complicated calculations that are difficult to perform. Utilitarianism seems to require us to be benevolent and selfless at all times. Action: Utilitarianism forbids such actions as going on vacation when the money would do more good when donated to charity. © 2021

An Important Distinction A decision procedure is a method that allows us to reliably make the right decisions about what to do. A standard of rightness tells us the conditions under which actions are morally right. Utilitarianism is a standard of rightness but not a decision procedure. © 2021

Action and Supererogation • Supererogation: action that is above and beyond the call of duty • These actions are admirable and praiseworthy but not required • Example: Bystander dashing into a burning building to rescue strangers trapped inside • Utilitarianism cannot make room for supererogation © 2021

The Problems of Impartiality Utilitarianism requires that everyone's interests be considered equally. The upside: No one is more morally important than anyone else. The downside: One is not allowed to weigh the interests of loved ones more heavily than the interests of total strangers. © 2021

No Intrinsic Wrongness (or Rightness) According to utilitarianism, the morality of an action depends entirely on its consequences. Therefore, no action is intrinsically wrong. Any action can be justified in the right circumstances, even the killing of innocent people. © 2021

The Argument from Injustice 1) The correct moral theory will never require us to commit serious injustices. 2) Utilitarianism sometimes requires us to commit serious injustices. 3) Therefore, utilitarianism is not the correct moral theory. © 2021

Utilitarian Replies to the Argument from Injustice Justice is also intrinsically valuable. Injustice is

Rule Consequentialism Rule consequentialism states: An action is morally right just because it is required by an optimific social rule. This seems to solve the problem of injustice. Caution: Rule consequentialists demand that we obey moral rules even when we know that breaking them would yield better results. © 2021