Utilitarianism

• what is utilitarianism approach to homosexuality?

  Utilitarian ethics seeks to maximise the greatest happiness for the greatest number. If happiness is equated with hedonistic pleasure, rather than a wider sense of well-being and happiness, then utilitarianism could be used to legitimise a free, unregulated approach to sexual behaviour. This is because giving people license to have homosexual sex can maximise pleasure.
• Although sexual identity is being understood more and more as something fluid, the majority identify as heterosexual. Utilitarians might argue that homosexuality should be prohibited in the interests of the majority, especially if the majority view it as harmful to society.
• However, John Stuart Mill, believed that it was important to allow homosexuality to prevent mass social prejudice restricting the rights and happiness of individuals. Mill said in On Liberty that"[we should not] attempt to deprive others of theirs or impede their efforts to obtain it.“ His focus on qualitative measures of happiness, on measuring the worth of different pleasures and pains, would place the pleasure and happiness of the homosexual minority above the pain of those who oppose homosexuality and would prevent mob instincts governing the lives of those who are different.
• what is a strength?

  •Utilitarian consider the preferences or happiness of those involved and would therefore allow sexual acts to take place between consenting adults making informed choices.

  •In 2009 Singer produced an article entitled ‘Homosexuality is not immoral’. Countries should not outlaw an activity that is morally neutral.

  •Mill said sexual preferences should be a matter of individual choice.

  •In general Utilitarian are tolerant of homosexual relationships as long as they do no social harm. Short-term pleasure is not worth long-term misery.
• what is a weakness?

  •As in all utilitarian decisions a calculation has to be made of the pain or harm caused – this is not always possible or accurate.

  •It depends on the people involved being capable of making an informed decision.