Lecture on Utilitarianism by Julia Markovits

Introduction

• Speaker: Julia Markovits, Associate Professor of Philosophy at MIT
• Topic: Utilitarianism and its implications for moral philosophy

Overview of Utilitarianism

• Definition: Actions are morally permissible if they produce at least as much net happiness as any other possible action.
• Key Principle: The right action maximizes happiness and minimizes suffering.
• Moral Implication: Any action that does not maximize happiness is morally wrong.

Historical Context

• Prominent Philosopher: Jeremy Bentham
  • Publication: “An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation” (1789)
  • Advocacies: Economic liberalization, freedom of expression, separation of church and state, women's rights, animal rights, etc.
  • Significance: Bentham’s ideas were ahead of his time, influenced by utilitarianism.

The Structure of Utilitarianism

• Two Main Components:
  1. Theory of Value:
     • Happiness and absence of suffering are intrinsically valuable.
     • Other things, like money, are valuable if they contribute to happiness.
  2. Theory of Right Action:
     • The right action maximizes the valuable.
     • If outcome is uncertain, it should maximize the expected value.

Example Scenario

• Situation: A doctor with five doses of scarce medicine and six patients.
  • Patients: One requires all five doses to survive ("Needy"), others need one dose each.
  • Utilitarian Conclusion: Administer one dose to each of the five patients to maximize overall happiness and minimize suffering.

Philosophical Considerations

• Value and Action Separation:
  • One can accept the theory of value (happiness as valuable) without accepting the utilitarian prescription for action.
  • Conversely, one can agree with the utilitarian action principle without agreeing that only happiness is valuable.

Conclusion

• Utilitarianism provides a clear framework for evaluating moral actions but also raises significant ethical questions and dilemmas.