Utilitarianism and Religious Beliefs Flashcards
What is the meaning of the word itself?
- from latin religio
- two parts, prefix re and root ligare
- ligare means to tie or bind
- re means back again but also has the meaning of a sense of duty as in responsibility
- so both members of the relationship have duties, commitments, to each other
Meaning of a revealed religion?
- the nature of the deity, the principles of the religion and what it requires of its worshippers have been given to humans by the deity often through a messenger
- eg the bible
Meaning of a theistic religion?
-one which is headed by a god or gods
Major religion which is neither revealed or theistic (so not deontological)?
buddhism
What are revealed religions fundamentally?
- deontological
- there are laws, rules, commandments, which are assumed to come from God
Why are followers of revealed religions in fundamental conflict with the essential principle of utilitarianism?
-because utilitarianism is teleological
Natural law and religion:
- Roman Catholics are subject to natural law
- the universe and its operations have been created by God to fulfil specific purposes
- Catholics are obliged to co-operate with these purposes and prevented from perverting
- eg according to natural law ethics, sex has been created to reproduce the species therefore using contraception and gay sex is impermissible
Support for “utilitarianism is not compatible with religious belief”:
- act utilitarianism aims at the ‘greatest good for the greatest number’-achieving this consequence may conflict with the commandments of deontological religions eg assassinating a cruel leader to save a country of suffering is against the commandment of not killing
- some forms of Christianity encourage actions and lifestyles which involve suffering as a way of demonstrating love for God eg giving up pleasure for lent; undergoing physical discomfort on pilgrimages; choosing lifelong celibacy
- some followers of theistic religions willingly sacrifice happiness in this life to ensure greater happiness in the next
Against “utilitarianism is not compatible with religious belief”:
- “to love your neighbour as yourself” would suggest that, as you wish to be happy, it’s your responsibility to contribute to your neighbour’s happiness. This commandment also implies objectivity, as in utilitarianism
- it is not uncommon for people of firm religious belief to work hard for the improvement of those less fortunate- missionaries, charity and aid workers. This is in tune with the general happiness aim of utilitarianism
- rule utilitarianism seems to be closer to the deontology of religion-many rules that communities may devise as the ultimate way of assuring the happiness of many similar to divine laws
- Mill’s ideas about higher and lower pleasures are also found in some stricter religions-the Christian sect ‘Plymouth Brethren’ are forbidden many pleasures such as TV and dancing. The cultivation of the intellect in Buddhism is preferred to the practise of lower pleasures
How are Buddhism and utilitarianism similar?
- all Buddhist actions, providing they cause no harm (objectivity principle) are directed at gaining ultimate wisdom-and this is perfect happiness. In that sense they are similar
- this is also a point saying utilitarianism is compatible with religion
- they are both teleological however in act utilitarianism a consequence is good if it causes happiness to the majority but suffering to the minority but in Buddhism this would not be acceptable
Buddhism’s morality?
- based on the assumption that there exists in the universe absolute wisdom, which is knowable
- so for actions to be moral they must be in agreement with this wisdom-the essence of which can we reduced to three words ‘do no harm’ or ahimsa
- the doctrine of karma, all consequences have consequences either in this or later lives
- it doesn’t have laws only precepts which are 5 sentences of advice on how to avoid negative karma
Principle of utility:
By the principle of utility which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have an argument or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest it is in question: or, what is the same thing in other words, to promote or oppose that happiness
