A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
Chapter 7
1. Chapter Seven: Utilitarianism Utilitarianism is a universal teleological system It calls for the maximization of goodness in society - that is, the greatest amount of goodness for the greatest number of people- and not merely the good of the agent
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Two kinds of Consequences 1) Actual consequences of an act 2) Consequences that could reasonably have been expected to occur
11. Two Corresponding Right Actions 1) Absolutely right if it has the best actual consequences (as per consequence 1) 2) Objectively right if it is reasonable to expect that it will have the best consequences (as per consequence 2)
12. The Consistency Objection to Rule-Utilitarianism When pushed to its logical limits, it must either become a deontological system or transform itself into act-utilitarianism
13. The No-Rest Objection We always have an infinite set of possible acts to choose from, and even if I can be excused from considering all of them, I can be fairly sure that there is often a preferable act that I could be doing.
14. The Publicity Objection Moral principles must be known to all, but utilitarians do not claim everyone should act like a utilitarian.
15. The Relativism Objection It seems to endorse different rules in different societies Also, the more serious worry is that it might become so plastic that it justifies any moral rule.
16. Criticism of the Ends Justifying Immoral Means 1) If a moral theory justifies actions that we universally deem impermissible, then that moral theory must be rejected 2) Utilitarianism justifies actions that we universally deem impermissible 3) Therefore, utilitarianism must be rejected
17. The Lying Objection It leads to the counterintuitive endorsement of lying when it serves the greater good
18. The Integrity Objection Personal integrity can be violated by commanding that we violate our most central and deeply held principles
19. The Justice Objection Utilitarians could consider actions that go against standards of justice that most of us think should never be dispensed with