Introduction to Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a teleological theory introduced by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, who were both well-known child prodigies. Utilitarians base whether something is right or wrong on the consequences of an action. This means that they believe that outcomes are more important than the motives. Utilitarians feel this way because fundamentally, the outcomes will have a greater impact on people’s lives. In addition, they use ‘Happiness Sums’ to measure the amount of pleasure or pain that it takes to reach a decision which maximises happiness.
Skilled Veterans Corps: Suicide (wrong) VS Heroism (right)
Utilitarians often use maths to replicate and simplify a complex situation. In this case, because the ‘Skilled Veterans Corps’ have volunteered to die for the greater good, overall, Utilitarians will say that this is reasonable. The consequence of this will be that although these volunteers will no longer be alive, there is a better chance for future generations to survive, creating more ‘pleasure’. In addition, Utilitarians will take into account that elderly people have volunteered to do this, meaning that they may have a lower chance of living for longer than the younger generation. Strictly speaking, in numerical terms, this also means that more elderly people will probably die of old age anyway. However, this topic on the justification of trading lives to save more is another intriguing ethical dilemma!
In conclusion, Utilitarians will not see the ‘Skilled Veterans Corps’ as suicidal because, consequentially, they are being heroic by doing what is right for the development of the country. Due to the sacrifices of the members of the elderly population, there will be more happiness for the majority of the Japanese.
Utilitarianism is a teleological theory introduced by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, who were both well-known child prodigies. Utilitarians base whether something is right or wrong on the consequences of an action. This means that they believe that outcomes are more important than the motives. Utilitarians feel this way because fundamentally, the outcomes will have a greater impact on people’s lives. In addition, they use ‘Happiness Sums’ to measure the amount of pleasure or pain that it takes to reach a decision which maximises happiness.
Skilled Veterans Corps: Suicide (wrong) VS Heroism (right)
Utilitarians often use maths to replicate and simplify a complex situation. In this case, because the ‘Skilled Veterans Corps’ have volunteered to die for the greater good, overall, Utilitarians will say that this is reasonable. The consequence of this will be that although these volunteers will no longer be alive, there is a better chance for future generations to survive, creating more ‘pleasure’. In addition, Utilitarians will take into account that elderly people have volunteered to do this, meaning that they may have a lower chance of living for longer than the younger generation. Strictly speaking, in numerical terms, this also means that more elderly people will probably die of old age anyway. However, this topic on the justification of trading lives to save more is another intriguing ethical dilemma!
In conclusion, Utilitarians will not see the ‘Skilled Veterans Corps’ as suicidal because, consequentially, they are being heroic by doing what is right for the development of the country. Due to the sacrifices of the members of the elderly population, there will be more happiness for the majority of the Japanese.