Utilitarianism

Question 1

Bernard Williams

Answer 1

Argued that Utilitarianism “debases the moral currency.” He believed that if you follow this ethical theory that you in some way “brutalise yourself”, meaning that one cannot possible hope to hold the moral high ground in following this theory.

Question 2

Alasdair McIntyre

Answer 2

Put forward the Social Engineering Argument. He argued that the very concept of pleasure is dangerous because people can be manipulated into being satisfied by anything. That their lives are filled with pleasure does not mean they are living good, ethical lives: they could be living utterly immoral lives but which they have been manipulated into enjoying. This would suggest that at least under Act Utilitarianism, an ideal society would be one where every member of that society is satisfied by the bare minimum.

Question 3

John Rawls

Answer 3

Argued that utilitarianism is too personal. In the pursuit of the greatest good utilitarianism disregards the rights of the individuals.