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| Replies |
 Sidgwick (main path) |
 Ann |
 Dee |
 Source Document |
Source Document |
| Utilitarianism and Libertarianism |
| Vera
Speaking
|
We're going around in
circles.  Just listen to what we have been saying.Dee supports libertarianism. But critics of libertarianism have suggested that it tends to ignore the actual consequences of exercising the rights it defends. For example, libertarian principles prevent us from using the state to help the poor and others who do badly in a market driven society. We can imagine cases in which great suffering must be tolerated rather than violate the property rights of the rich. If libertarian principles were translated into government policy, the consequences would almost undoubtedly include increases in poverty, racial discrimination, discrimination against women, plus a serious deterioration of health care for the poor. Ann supports utilitarianism. She rightly points out that utilitarianism does consider consequences. But critics have pointed out that utilitarianism is committed to maximizing some sort of outcome -- the amount of happiness, for example -- and is unable to consider the distribution of that outcome. Again, we can imagine cases in which the most appalling suffering must be tolerated rather than reduce the sum total of the good (however defined). Furthermore, it's not at all clear how strong individual rights can fit into a utilitarian social philosophy. In other words, each theory has a strong point and a weak point. But each has consequences that conflict with widespread moral intuitions. What's wrong with this picture? |
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