Utilitarianism on Morality and Sanctions

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Sarah Barrett

November 29, 2004

Philosophy 101

John Stuart Mill Paper

Utilitarianism on Morality and Sanctions

“To prefer evil to good is not in human nature; and when a man is compelled to choose one of two evils, no one will choose the greater when he might have the less.”

 - Plato (Protagoras)

        George’s moral dilemma faced in the example given is one that portrays an internal dilemma he faces within his own conscience in contrast with the external consequences of his actions in both respects—for his family and for the good of society.  The example given shows a conflict of interest, but in correlation with John Stuart Mill’s theory of utilitarianism, greatest happiness principle, theory of morality, and idea of internal and external sanctions is a complicated one of many levels.  George, I believe should take the job at the biochemical weapons laboratory.  His choice to do so, though, has many implications of which I will articulate; in taking the job George goes against his pacifist nature and moral conscious because he feels as though, by doing so, he is contributing his efforts towards the ultimate destruction of society and the happiness of the world, but he also on the other hand will be able to provide for his family and contribute to their happiness.  Due to the fact that if George does not take the job someone else will be sure to take it and work more enthusiastically, the weapons will continue to be developed, and in essence his action of rejecting the job will thus be the cause of no greater good to society of which he was concerned, but would merely subject his family and those depending on him to suffering.  Thus in taking the job, George is acting in accordance with the greatest happiness principle of utilitarianism, because regardless of his involvement in the plant’s creation of these weapons, millions will die if they are deployed, therefore the only people which his actions will affect are those whom are reliant on his income—his family.

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In Mills discussion in Utilitarianism, more specifically in chapter three, entitled, ‘Of the Ultimate Sanction of the Principle of Utility,’ he develops his argument on the theory of morality and sanctions as they correlate with utilitarian standards and implications of a person’s actions.  In terms of Utilitarian rule, George would be following it closely, by acting in the interest of the greatest happiness in taking the job; this action though, according to Mill, would be the wrong action, for he articulates that the internal sanctions are the ultimate sanctions.  The internal sanction of duty, as Mill explains it, is ...

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