Finding a Solution to an Ethical Dilemma
Utilitarianism is the ideology based on the idea that human life is not significant and that the genuine value is the benefit that one person can potentially bring. The utilitarian approach and values focus on estimating the statistical happiness that particular actions can allocate. Both scenarios suggested for the analysis contain the ethical or moral paradox. It is impossible to find ethically-correct solutions when human life is at stake. However, the ideology of utilitarianism solves the situation based on the total benefit principle. When the utilitarian approach is used, all the morality and the essence of human life are of no value. One of the founders of the utilitarian theory of morality, John Stuart Mill, states that pleasure and the absence of pain are the central values desired by the human mind (Thames, 2018). Therefore, there is no difference whether the life of other people will be sacrificed or not.
Only the maximum pleasure and happiness are the factors empowering the decision-making process. Based on this argumentation, the utilitarian approach would solve both problems seeking maximum benefit. In the first case, one person will be sacrificed for five. In the second scenario, it would be more beneficial to sacrifice the life of one man who can stop the train. In both cases, the choice would be based on the total happiness and pleasure gained from particular actions.
Reflecting on an Ethical Dilemma
Personally, I disagree with most of the utilitarian concepts. From my perspective, such an approach conditions the cognition of people, preventing them from making more ethically-correct decisions. Considering the mentioned scenarios, I would strive to find any other way to save all people. In the second case, I would never kill the person. On the contrary, I would ask that man to help me find a solution. However, I realize that utilitarian theory is necessary for the particular situations in which the notion of morale is absent. For example, the countries’ leaders cannot avoid sacrifices during the war. Therefore, the damage should be minimized, and the maximum “happiness” may be gained through implementing the utilitarianism ideas. However, the war conditions are unethical in nature, and people are forced to make immoral decisions under the pressure of circumstances. Discussing the utilitarian approach as a central life interpretation is corrupt. A society in which life is devalued has no future.
Discussing an Ethical Dilemma
World history shows that people cannot lead ethically-correct life. The desire for power and other temptations conquer the mind of people, causing various catastrophes and confrontations. In cases when ethical decisions cannot be made, utilitarianism may be beneficial. Logically substantial profit as the central value is the main strength of this approach. It can be efficiently used to minimize losses in different situations. Some of my peers even argued that the progress of society is impossible without applying utilitarian ideas. Many historical facts can support this point of view. I agree that the benefit and pleasure are the moving power of progress. However, morale is what makes people’s cognition unique; it should not be centered only on getting pleasure. Life is valuable with all the sorrows and problems. Without understanding what suffering is, people will never realize the value of happiness. Thus, moral degradation and the limitations of cognition are the significant negative consequences of utilitarianism.
Another drawback of the theory is that the extent of the emotions of people is not taken into account. People’s cognition is complex, and even being in similar conditions, their happiness and satisfaction levels can be different. Utilitarianism theory offers no solution to this vague paradox. This problem occurs because emotions cannot be objectively estimated. As a result, utilitarian ideology cannot potentially evaluate which happiness is more beneficial when more than one person is involved in a particular situation.
Reference
Thames, B. (2018). How should one live? Introduction to ethics and moral reasoning (3rd ed.). Bridgepoint Education.