I N T R O

Intro to Utility

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Justifications (or criticisms) based on utility are linked to the ethical theory called "utilitarianism." According to that theory, actions or rules are good because they maximize human welfare.

Because utilitarian arguments depend on consequences, they often require information from the social sciences. For example, if someone argues that affirmative action is a good policy because it will reduce unemployment among blacks, then it is crucial to show that this in fact happens (and can be expected to continue). This can be difficult for many reasons. First of all, the information needed may not be available. Secondly, it may be difficult to isolate the impact of affirmative action (or any other single factor in a complicated situation).

Reference: The best known defense of utilitarianism by one of its leading proponents is the 19th-century book by John Stuart Mill called Utilitarianism. For a more modern defense, read works by Richard Brandt, R. M. Hare, and Peter Singer.

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