more on this theme
|
more from this thinker
Single Idea 18629
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 4. Social Utilitarianism
]
Full Idea
Acting directly on utilitarian grounds is counter-productive, for it encourages a contingent and detached attitude towards what should be whole-hearted personal and political commitments.
Gist of Idea
Using utilitarian principles to make decisions encourages cold detachment from people
Source
Will Kymlicka (Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn) [1990], 2.7)
Book Ref
Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn)' [OUP 1992], p.45
A Reaction
I've always seen this as an objection to utilitarianism, but I now see that it is only an objection to the decision procedure. We should be warm-hearted and committed, in the knowledge that this will increase benefits to all. Hm. A bit schizoid.
The
29 ideas
from 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn)'
18623
|
The quest of the general good is partly undermined by people's past entitlements
[Kymlicka]
|
18624
|
Utilitarianism is not a decision-procedure; choice of the best procedure is an open question
[Kymlicka]
|
18626
|
One view says start with equality, and infer equal weight to interests, and hence maximum utility
[Kymlicka]
|
18650
|
Teleological theories give the good priority over concern for people
[Kymlicka]
|
18651
|
The most valuable liberties to us need not be the ones with the most freedom
[Kymlicka]
|
18652
|
The Lockean view of freedom depends on whether you had a right to what is restricted
[Kymlicka]
|
18627
|
A second view says start with maximising the good, implying aggregation, and hence equality
[Kymlicka]
|
18625
|
To maximise utility should we double the population, even if life somewhat deteriorates?
[Kymlicka]
|
18628
|
We shouldn't endorse preferences which reject equality, and show prejudice and selfishness
[Kymlicka]
|
18630
|
Utilitarianism is no longer a distinctive political position
[Kymlicka]
|
18629
|
Using utilitarian principles to make decisions encourages cold detachment from people
[Kymlicka]
|
18632
|
Liberalism tends to give priority to basic liberties
[Kymlicka]
|
18633
|
Equal opportunities seems fair, because your fate is from your choices, not your circumstances
[Kymlicka]
|
18634
|
Equal opportunity arbitrarily worries about social circumstances, but ignores talents
[Kymlicka]
|
18637
|
Utilitarianism is irrational if it tells you to trade in your rights and resources just for benefits
[Kymlicka]
|
18635
|
Social contract theories are usually rejected because there never was such a contract
[Kymlicka]
|
18638
|
The difference principles says we must subsidise the costs of other people's choices
[Kymlicka]
|
18640
|
Libertarians like the free market, but they also think that the free market is just
[Kymlicka]
|
18649
|
If everyone owned himself, that would prevent slavery
[Kymlicka]
|
18654
|
Marxists say justice is unneeded in the truly good community
[Kymlicka]
|
18655
|
Justice corrects social faults, but also expresses respect to individuals as ends
[Kymlicka]
|
18656
|
Marxists say liberalism is unjust, because it allows exploitation in the sale of labour
[Kymlicka]
|
18657
|
Communitarian states only encourage fairly orthodox ideas of the good life
[Kymlicka]
|
18659
|
The 'Kantian' view of the self misses the way it is embedded or situated in society
[Kymlicka]
|
18658
|
The 'Kantian' self steps back from commitment to its social situation
[Kymlicka]
|
18660
|
Communitarians say we should pay more attention to our history
[Kymlicka]
|
18661
|
Ancient freedom was free participation in politics, not private independence of life
[Kymlicka]
|
18663
|
Modern liberalism has added personal privacy to our personal social lives
[Kymlicka]
|
18664
|
Maybe the particularist moral thought of women is better than the impartial public thinking of men
[Kymlicka]
|