Utilitarianism

In the Utilitarian tradition, one does not need to search too far from home, since good is simply pleasure and whatever provides it.

While this might seem to lead to a lifestyle of unrestricted self indulgence, Epicurus objected that, "Pleasure indulged only leads to greater desires; better live a very frugal and disciplined life" (p. 39, 5), enjoying the simple pleasures and seeking pleasure in all our experiences.

Bentham adds to this view that service to the common good is a greater source of pleasure than the pursuit of self-satisfaction in the long run and therefore social commitment is desirable and necessary to personal gratification.

Finally, Mill adds to these other ends, such as "virtue, character, and the more advanced forms of human culture" as desirable to achieve, in the search for pleasure and happiness.

The main strength of Utilitarianism appears to be its practicality, because it provides simple guidance to find what is good and to apply it to one's life: seek the good for humankind and strive to achieve it, find what hurts it and strive to stop it.

On the other end, does this bring as a logical consequence that the end justifies the means? What kind of goodness could we derive from the use of the systems that might bring pain even if just one human being? (p. 40, 3).

      (Newton, L. H. (1986). Ethics in America. New Jersey: Prentice Hall)

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