Single Idea 22405

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 1. Utilitarianism]

Full Idea

The doctrine of negative utilitarianism (that we should concern ourselves with the minimisation of suffering, rather than the maximisation of happiness) ...means we should support a tyrant who explodes the world, to prevent infinite future misery.

Gist of Idea

Negative utilitarianism implies that the world should be destroyed, to avoid future misery

Source

J.J.C. Smart (Outline of a System of Utilitarianism [1973], 5)

Book Reference

Smart,J./Williams,B.: 'Utilitarianism For and Against' [CUP 1978], p.29


A Reaction

That only seems to imply that the negative utilitarian rule needs supplementary rules. We are too fond of looking for one single moral rule that guides everything.