So,
Here are some things that I learned today. John Stuart Mill does not have an "S" at the end of his name, which sounds unusual when it's said (my apologies to anyone with the same last name).
Utilitarianism was a groundbreaking theory of ethics that doesn't really hold water so I'm not entirely sure how groundbreaking that makes it but both are true. One thing that made it groundbreaking was the fact that Mill broke away from using religion in any form (specifically Christianity) as any basis for morality. That probably didn't make him too popular but he said that Utilitarianism was so good that Yahweh probably sanctioned it so that made it okay. That's pretty ballsy and something that I'm going to remember in the future.
Obama might have been born in Americaor he might have created some false document. What's most surprising about this tidbit of info is that it's still being discussed and Obama is taking part. Like any kind of proof is going to change the mind of a birther. Shah! As if. It doesn't matter where he was born, he's got the job and he's staying. Deal with it.
One of the objections to Utilitarianism is that there isn't enough time to think of all the consequences that will arise from decisions so it's a pointless practice. Let me back up. Utilitarianism is a "ends justifies the means" kind of thing and so you have to weigh whether a decision will do more good than bad in order to make the right choice. Mill called the people making this objection idiots because we formulate most ethical decisions well ahead of when we might be called upon to act upon the decision. Like you'll go to work one day and the boss will piss you off and then you have to sit and ponder all of the pros and cons that would be associated with killing him. Maybe making a line down the center of a sheet of paper with one side being "Pros" and the other "Cons". Possibly consulting other people in the office to get their take on it. Check with the boss to see how many people depend on him. Does he mow his mom's lawn in the summer? Kids depend on his paycheck for braces? Does he volunteer at a homeless shelter? All of these things could make you lean toward letting him live.
Okay, enough rambling. I actually have to finish an assignment on Mill dealing with the issue of having enough time to weigh out all the effects of a decision. While Mill may have been completely dismissive, the objection isn't completely invalid. It's impossible to know all the ramifications of a decision. Every decision is a ripple on the pond that travels out in all directions beyond our sight.
For today's question, let's bring it back to the root:
Does the end justify the means?
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