Utilitarian Perspective
Utilitarianism is an ethical framework that judges actions as morally right if they produce the greatest amount of well-being (or happiness) for the greatest number of affected individuals. It prioritizes outcomes over intentions, focusing on measurable consequences rather than rules or virtues.
"The 'greatest good' approach — weigh outcomes, count affected parties, choose the net-positive option."
Key Questions to Ask
- What are the potential benefits/harms of each option?
- How many people will be affected positively/negatively?
- Which choice creates the highest net well-being?
Evaluation Framework
Factor
Analysis Approach
Scope
Count affected stakeholders
Intensity
Weigh severity of pleasures/pains
Duration
Assess short-term vs. long-term impacts
Action Guidelines
- Identify all possible actions and their consequences.
- Estimate the number of people affected by each action.
- Evaluate the intensity and duration of benefits/harms.
- Choose the option that maximizes overall happiness.
- Consider potential mitigations for negative impacts.
- Reflect on how this choice aligns with your values of collective well-being.
Example Scenario
Imagine you're a city planner deciding whether to build a new highway. A utilitarian approach would involve analyzing how many people would benefit from reduced travel time versus those who would be negatively impacted by noise and pollution.
Practical Tips
- Use data to quantify potential impacts on well-being.
- Engage with affected communities to gather diverse perspectives.
- Consider both immediate and long-term consequences.
- Reflect on past decisions where you prioritized collective well-being.
Example Application
"Should we implement a 4-day workweek?"
Utilitarian analysis:
- Pros: Higher productivity (70% of workers), better mental health
- Cons: 15% revenue shortfall for small businesses
- Verdict: Likely justified if mitigations exist for small businesses