Utilitarianism theory

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Utilitarianism, one of the points made about the theory is that it does not take motivation into account. Mill states, “He who saves a fellow creature from drowning does what is morally right, whether his motive be duty or the hope of being paid for his trouble.” He says this to underscore the idea that as long as you achieve the greatest happiness for the greatest number, then “why” you did it doesn’t matter.

What do you think about this? Do our motivations matter when it comes to morality? Are we less moral if we act for less than noble reasons, such as the hope of being paid? Are we more moral if we act simply out of the duty to our fellow human beings?

 

Sample Solution

Mill’s assertion that motivations are irrelevant to morality is a central tenet of utilitarianism. He argues that the moral worth of an action lies solely in its consequences, not in the intentions behind it. For utilitarians, the ultimate goal is to maximize happiness for the greatest number of people, and the means to achieve this goal are morally justified regardless of the motivations involved.

Evaluating Mill’s Position

While Mill’s argument is compelling, it raises several questions about the nature of morality and human motivation:

  1. Intentions and Character: Are intentions entirely irrelevant to our moral evaluation of a person? While consequences are crucial, many people believe that a person’s character and intentions also play a role in determining their moral worth. For example, we may admire someone who helps others out of genuine compassion more than someone who does so solely for personal gain.
  2. Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics, a competing moral theory, emphasizes the importance of developing good character traits, such as honesty, kindness, and courage. According to virtue ethics, the right thing to do is what a virtuous person would do in a given situation, regardless of the consequences. While utilitarianism focuses on maximizing happiness, virtue ethics focuses on developing good character.
  3. The Slippery Slope: If motivations are irrelevant, does this mean that any action can be justified as long as it leads to the greatest good? For example, could a person justify lying or cheating if they believe it will ultimately benefit the most people? This raises concerns about the potential for abuse and the erosion of moral principles.

Conclusion

While Mill’s utilitarian argument is powerful, it is not without its limitations. While consequences are undoubtedly important, intentions and character also play a role in our moral judgments. A comprehensive understanding of morality may require a combination of utilitarian, virtue ethics, and other approaches. Ultimately, the question of whether motivations matter in morality is a complex one with no easy answers.

 

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