PHIL 1200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 82: Rule Utilitarianism
15 May 2017
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Lomoarcpsd| 987298: insist on the view that what really makes things good is the happiness they bring to us, and that people are just confused in thinking that these things could be good without the happiness they bring. Also, insist that an action that takes away some happiness without bringing any, solely to demonstrate virtuous behavior (e. g. fasting etc. ) is pointless. The end does not always justify the means. Also, utilitarianism cannot explain why one should keep promises. Some actions are wrong not because they cause unhappiness, but because they violate the rules of justice, rights, etc. We judge actions not only by looking forward at the happiness they will bring, but also by looking backwards at what people have done/promised, etc. This is what makes punishment possible for example. We can explain how braking a promise leads to a loss of trust, and is, therefore, harmful (makes future transactions impossible)
