Evaluating Utilitarianism (08/01/24)

• Rule utilitarianisms focus on indvidual liberty could undermine social order and stability in certain cases.
• Rule utilitarianisms rigid adherence to individual liberty can leave vulnerable groups at risk of tyranny.
• Rule utilitarianisms complete freedom of choice can lead to perpetuation of harmful practices or ideologies.
• Critics of rule utilitarianism argue that adherence to strict rules leads to inflexibility; preventing correction of outdated laws.
• Some critics of rule utilitarianism argue individual freedoms don't lead to greatest overall happiness. Some enaction of personal freedom comes at the expense of the community.
• Rule utilitarianism provides a guide, when everyone generally sticks to them, a happier and better society is created
• Rule utilitariaism encourages longer term thought about the future and how rules impact happiness over time. It's not just about what makes people happy now, but what leads to the most happiness in the long term.
• Rule Utilitarianism is like the highway code, it should be followed even if no other cars are visible on the road.
• Bernard Williams Attractiveness of Utilitarianism

  1. does not require religon so is rational ethics
  2. basic good seems quite reasonable
  3. moral problems are solved via a process
  4. Common currency of moral thought is easy to apply
• Utilitarianism is often criticised for offering no reason to prohibit any action when some actions should clearly always be prohibited - like rape.
• Utilitarianism has an unfair bias towards minorities - migrants could be forced to leave as it would be better for the community as a whole - this is a clear loss of human rights.
• Utilitarianism is often criticised for being a consequentialist theory as it struggles with questions about minorities and the future.