Contemporary Moral Problems

Book Review Chapter 1: Ethical Theories:

James Rachels: The Debate Over Utilitarianism

Library Reference: N/A

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0534584306/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233793391&sr=8-1

Quote:  “happiness is desirable and the only thing desirable”

    In my opinion, this fact is somehow true. Or if you really think about it, it is really true. I mean people usually desire things that would make them happy. I don’t think there is a person here that desires something that would make them sad.

Learning Expectation:

    As we have discussed in the previous chapter, we have talked about John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism. We have discussed principles regarding utility of utilitarianism and happiness.  In this chapter, we are going to have discussion on James Rachels take on Utilitarianism and the debates that have took place. Basically, I want to know what other philosophers, including James Rachels about Utilitarianism. Do they agree with Mill or do they have rejections?

Review:

    The utilitarianism doctrine is that happiness is desirable and the only thing desirable, as an end; all other things being desirable as means to that end. In this chapter, the Resilience of the Theory will be discussed. These theories consist of the Classical Utilitarianism, which are summarized in three propositions. The First, Actions are judged right or wrong solely in virtue of their consequences. Second, in assessing consequences, the only thing that matters is the amount of happiness or unhappiness that caused. And third, in calculating happiness or unhappiness that will be caused, no one’s happiness is to be counted as more important than anyone else.

It is also discussed here in this chapter if happiness is the only thing that matters. In addition Hedonism is also discussed. Hedonism is a perennially popular theory that goes back at least as far as ancient Greeks. It is the belief of a good thing, which they called happiness. Happiness is a response as goods, independently and in their own right. In order to defend utilitarianism, they must make use resources which makes them happy, to be happy.

It is interesting to take note of the rule and act utilitarianism. The new version of Utilitarianism modifies the original theory so that individual actions will no longer be judged by Principle of Utility. Instead, rules will be established by reference to the rules. Rule Utilitarianism is actions conforming to the rules that will lead to the greater good while on the other hand; Act Utilitarianism states that the right action is the one that will give happiness to a person.

So basically, this chapter is all about the discussion on the debate over utilitarianism and some other concepts.

What I’ve learned:

    I have learned that there is a new and old version of the Utilitarianism. Moreover, I have learned other things about happiness and other things like justice. Overall, I think it was a good read. The most interesting part to read in the chapter is when asked about if happiness is the only thing that matters, which makes you really think.

Questions:

1.    Is it possible for us to desire something that would make us sad?

2.    Is it true that happiness is the only thing desirable?

3.    How many actually believes in this?

4.    Is it safe to follow this belief?

5.    Is topics like these worth debating for?

Citation: (James E. White, St. Cloud State University, 2003)