Le Guin-Williams

What is going on in Omelas?

Omelas is a utopian city, but its happiness depends on the continued suffering of one innocent child

Why might Omelas present a problem for utilitarianism?

Utilitarianism plausibly supports the social practices of Omelas.

• There is more happiness in Omelas when the child suffers than when the child does not suffer

Concerns for Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism endorses unjust actions if justice doesn’t maximize utility.

• It is concerned with aggregate happiness, not how happiness is distributed between people.

• It doesn’t respect the separateness of persons

How can the same total amount of happiness be shared among people in different ways? Give two examples

Equal distribution: You could distribute it equally, so everyone gets 10 points

Unequal distribution: Unequally, so one person gets 50, everyone else gets 5.5

What does it mean to say that people are separate?

It means that each person is an individual with their own rights, experiences, and well-being, rather than just part of a large group whose happiness can be traded or sacrificed for others.

In what way would utilitarianism fail to respect people as separate?

Can fail to respect this by justifying harm to one person if it benefits the majority.

• We see this in Omelas, because the entire city’s happiness depends on the suffering of a single child.

  • This ignores the child’s individual rights and dignity.

The does utilitarianism think about the George example?

Utilitarianism thinks that George should take the job. There will be less suffering in the world if he takes it than if he does not.

• George needs a job, and opposes weapons. If he doesn’t the person that will, will create even more dangerous weapons.

What is the concern for Utilitarianism?

Alienation

Alienation

Utilitarianism requires us to assess moral decisions impersonally, not from the perspective of any one person.

• To make this decision, you have to alienate yourself from your own projects, no matter how significant they are to you.

  • This requires you to understand yourself as a part in a causal network, not as a moral agent.