Abstract In the course of human growth and evolution, theories of justice and ethics such as Utilitariansim have arisen to solve man's ethical dilemmas. However, when these theories depart from a measure of absolute right and wrong, they create inevitable logical dilemmas. This paper examines examples of these dilemmas such as forgotten debts. The paper also looks at the problem within the context of the novel "City of Light" by Lauren Belfer and other texts.
Paper Outline
Utilitarianism - Definition
Consequences of Given Actions
A Measure of Greater Happiness
Practical Dilemmas
Beating a Masochist
b. Repaying a Loan
3. City of Light
a. Popular Ethics Culture of the Time
b. Abusing Slaves
c. Even the Smallest
d. The Modern Loss of a Moral Anchor
4. Other Ethical Dilemmas
a. In a Nazi Concentration Camp
b. On Becoming a Moral Person
c. Lebacqz's Six Theories
5. Conclusion
From the Paper "In the final judgment, by rejecting absolute values, each person could be led to many situations in which an acceptable course of action to a utilitarian would be an immoral one. Utilitarianism is a defensible theory in so far as someone who agreed with it would consider its moral conclusions right. It has major flaws in its doctrine of calculation, that lead to what would seem intolerable or contradictory "morally right" courses of action. When trying to rectify the seemingly immoral results from the theory, by the introduction of rules, again the theory, or peoples belief in it is open to debate. Overall utilitarianism seems to fall flat on its face in too many situations to be called an adequate moral philosophy."
