Wednesday 1 August 2012

M: In defense of the utilitarian

The utilitarian acts based on her rational vision of the future- as we all believe we do. She is aware that in the future, there is a near infinite potential for greater happier if her life continues- and most probably, depending on the individual's other metaphysical views regarding other minds, potential for great happiness in the life of her attacker. Her primary motivation is therefore to prevent death- that would be the most "moral" option if possible (stabbing and disarming/disabling the attacker for example).

It is also entirely possible she could choose the course of action that involves stabbing and killing her attacker. All she knows of the figure is that he is willing to kill innocents, it follows that by killing them she is more likely to prevent loss of life, and so loss of potential happiness, than by letting herself die- unless, suppose, she is a killer herself.

-M

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