I
half agree with you.Singer's generalization principle tells us that
"If it is wrong for
person A to do X it is wrong for similar people in similar
circumstances to do X." I agree that this assumes that we know which features of people and
circumstances count when deciding whether they are similar.
But this principle may still be a necessary truth. It seems inconsistent
to say that A and B are similar people in similar circumstances but
that it
is good for A to do X and wrong for B to do X.
Suppose someone said that two paintings, A and B, are alike
except that one is beautiful and one is ugly. Wouldn't it be a
contradiction to say that? It seems conceptually impossible.
As far as the principle of consequences goes, I agree with you. As
a utilitarian I believe that it is wrong to do things that have
undesirable consequences for human welfare. But I don't think that the
utilitarian principle
or Singer's principle is a necessary truth. I wish I could turn the
utilitarian principle into a necessary truth, but I don't think it can
be done.
Couldn't someone deny the principle of consequences and still be
consistent? Suppose someone said "It is not true that we ought not to
do what has undesirable consequences. We ought to follow God's law.
The consequences are of secondary importance."