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Single Idea 22459

[filed under theme 23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 5. Rule Utilitarianism ]

Full Idea

It would be irrational to obey even the most useful rule if in a particular instance we clearly see that such obedience will not have the best results.

Gist of Idea

For consequentialism, it is irrational to follow a rule which in this instance ends badly

Source

Philippa Foot (Utilitarianism and the Virtues [1985], p.62)

Book Ref

Foot,Philippa: 'Moral Dilemmas' [OUP 2002], p.62

A Reaction

This is the simple reason why attempts at rule utilitarianism always lead back to act utilitarianism. Another way of putting it is that a good rule can only be assessed by the outcomes of individual acts that follow it.

The 4 ideas with the same theme [doing what generally leads to increased happiness]:

6697 Moral rules protecting human welfare are more vital than local maxims [Mill]
22459 For consequentialism, it is irrational to follow a rule which in this instance ends badly [Foot]
3787 Rule-utilitarianism is either act-utilitarianism, or not really utilitarian [Glover]
20884 Rule-utilitarians prevent things like torture, even on rare occasions when it seems best [Hooker,B]