Exam 5: Using Your Reason, Part 1: Utilitarianism

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From the standpoint of an act utilitarian, the response would likely be that allowing alien beings to abduct involuntary human subjects for lethal medical experiments in exchange for a cure for all viral diseases, including AIDS, would be justified if it resulted in the greatest overall happiness for the greatest number of people. In this case, the potential benefit of curing all viral diseases, including AIDS, could outweigh the harm caused to the involuntary human subjects. The act utilitarian would argue that the end result of maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering justifies the means of allowing the experiments to take place.

On the other hand, from the standpoint of a rule utilitarian, the response would likely be that allowing alien beings to abduct involuntary human subjects for lethal medical experiments would not be justified, even if it resulted in a cure for all viral diseases. This is because the rule utilitarian would argue that allowing such actions to take place could lead to a breakdown of societal rules and norms, ultimately leading to more harm than good. The rule utilitarian would prioritize following ethical rules and principles that promote the overall well-being of society, rather than focusing solely on the consequences of individual actions.

In conclusion, while an act utilitarian may argue that allowing the experiments could be justified based on the potential benefits, a rule utilitarian would likely argue that the potential harm caused by allowing such actions would outweigh any potential benefits.

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Jeremy Bentham's "hedonistic calculus" is a method for calculating the amount of pleasure or pain that an action will produce. Bentham believed that all human actions are motivated by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain, and he sought to create a systematic way of measuring and comparing the potential outcomes of different actions.

This device tells us about the Age of Reason in that it reflects the emphasis on rationality, logic, and empirical evidence that characterized this period. In the Age of Reason, there was a strong belief in the power of human reason to solve problems and improve society, and the hedonistic calculus can be seen as an attempt to apply this rational approach to the understanding of human behavior and morality.

The type of arguments that would be considered important in such an age would be those based on empirical evidence and logical reasoning. In the case of the hedonistic calculus, the focus would be on quantifying and comparing the potential pleasure and pain produced by different actions, and using this information to make rational decisions about which actions to take.

An example of how to use the hedonistic calculus might be to consider whether to take a job offer. One would list the potential pleasures and pains associated with the job, such as the salary, the work environment, the commute, and the potential for career advancement. Each of these factors would be assigned a numerical value based on their perceived impact on pleasure or pain, and these values would be added up to determine the overall expected utility of taking the job. This rational calculation could then be used to make a decision based on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.

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The question of whether it is acceptable to lie if it eases suffering is a complex ethical dilemma. On one hand, lying is generally considered to be morally wrong as it involves deception and dishonesty. However, in certain situations, such as when someone is experiencing extreme suffering, the decision to lie may be seen as a compassionate and empathetic act.

In the field of medical ethics, for example, healthcare professionals may sometimes choose to withhold the full truth from a terminally ill patient in order to alleviate their distress and maintain their sense of hope. This is known as "therapeutic privilege" and is based on the belief that the emotional well-being of the patient is just as important as their physical well-being.

On the other hand, lying can also have negative consequences, such as eroding trust and undermining the autonomy of the person being lied to. It can also lead to a slippery slope where lying becomes justified in other situations where it may not be morally acceptable.

Ultimately, the acceptability of lying to ease suffering is a subjective and context-dependent issue. It is important to carefully consider the potential consequences of both telling the truth and lying, and to prioritize the well-being and autonomy of the person who is suffering. In some cases, alternative approaches such as providing emotional support, offering comfort, and finding ways to alleviate suffering without resorting to deception may be more ethically sound. Each situation should be carefully evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances and the well-being of all involved.