From: TekUtopia-AT-aol.com Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 19:09:13 EST Subject: Re: Deontology v. Utilitarianism In a message dated 02/29/2000 23:03:55 EST, TriscitMan-AT-aol.com writes: << What are some reasons to use a deontological framework to make policy over that of a utility framework? >> It always perplexes me that people assume that this is an either/or decision. "You don't like John Stuart Mill's ethics? Ah! Then you must be a deontologist!" Personally, I've read both sides and don't think either extreme is very wise. Absolute ethics determined in any categorical sense can cause very bad decisions. On the one hand, Utilitarianism could justify mass genocide in the name of population control (greatest good for greatest number), whereas deontology could justify telling nazis where Jews are hiding (yeah, I know, this example is a cliche). Situations change and people change. Categorical attempts to fit the entire universe of decisions into a little "logical" human framework are destined to be problematic.
Display software: ArchTracker © Malgosia Askanas, 2000-2005