0
Thumbs Up/Down |
Received: 4,201/170 Given: 1,401/50 |
Thumbs Up/Down |
Received: 7,435/76 Given: 8,394/60 |
It can be illustrated by many counterexamples, that absolute utilitarianism goes against human moral intuition, therefore does not represent it well. Now, someone can argue, that whether it goes against our moral intuition or not is irrelevant, since morality of an action does not necessarily depend on our views. That'd be wrong however, as this is exactly how we define moral behavior in the first place, what we call morality is based solely on our consensus, there is no objective morality outside of our minds, somehow written in the very fabric of reality in the same sense gravity is, for example. So an action is moral if and only if it satisfies our consensus. That being said, it is important to realize that the label which we put on a action is not binary (just moral vs immoral) - representing it as a continuum between two extremes is much more accurate.
Thumbs Up/Down |
Received: 10,984/64 Given: 20,340/15 |
Not feasible in the long run, self-interest will always be paramount/manifesting in some form.
“The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.”
- H.P. Lovecraft
Thumbs Up/Down |
Received: 7,435/76 Given: 8,394/60 |
While many of utilitarianism's principles are derived from our intuitive notion of morality, it does not work at all, when the said principles are formalized and taken to their extreme. Indeed, human nature is, for the most part, incompatible with utilitarianism. Practical utilitarianists could use some psychology lessons.
Thumbs Up/Down |
Received: 10,984/64 Given: 20,340/15 |
Utilitarianism in itself can contradict conventional wisdom. When common good for the whole is taken to the extreme; such zealousness distorts itself into a hegemonic regime. Such authoritarian idealizations then distorts itself into elitist, nepotistic oligarchs that can be akin to socialism or communism in principle. Utilitarianism takes away the need for meritocracy by spoon-feeding everyone their basic necessities. People aren't governed by such esoteric developments such as hard work or individualism (that are shunned overall); much rather, more so on their ability to conform and bend their will to the other. Hence, meritocracy is lost as a result.
Will power and courage derives itself by going against these hegemonic principles; by leading by your own example in the face of great adversity and turbulent times is needed in order to make righteous decisions from one's innate moral code derived from intuition, common sense, pragmatism and logic meshed together.
Utilitarianism lacks the capacity to detach itself from "groupthink" (the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility). Hence, logic and reason is lost when idealism exceeds these higher cognitive functions. Such schools of thought needs (utilitarianism) to embrace the good and bad in life when it comes to individual growth and experience.
Both good and bad experiences in one's life leads to wiser mindsets and proper self-development to grow and expand one's horizons (akin to stoicism).
A flawed human being is a sensible human being.
“The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.”
- H.P. Lovecraft
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Bookmarks