Ideas from 'Introductions to Utilitarianism and its Critics' by Jonathan Glover [1990], by Theme Structure
[found in 'Utilitarianism and Its Critics' (ed/tr Glover,Jonathan) [Macmillan 1990,0-02-344134-8]].
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22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / g. Consequentialism
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3785
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You can't separate acts from the people performing them
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Full Idea:
A mistake of consequentialists is to treat actions as though they can somehow be isolated from the people performing them.
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From:
Jonathan Glover (Introductions to Utilitarianism and its Critics [1990], Pt Five)
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A reaction:
I agree. The weather produces consequences. Morality is about people. Crocodiles, for example, are exempt.
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22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / h. Good as benefit
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3786
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Aggression in defence may be beneficial but morally corrupting
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Full Idea:
Forming the intention to use nuclear retaliation if attacked may both be the best way to avoid the catastrophe of nuclear war and at the same time be morally corrupting.
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From:
Jonathan Glover (Introductions to Utilitarianism and its Critics [1990], Pt Five)
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A reaction:
A famous moment in 2017 when Jeremy Corbyn refused to say he would be willing to use the weapons, if elected. It would be hard to sustain a determination to do it, and then reject it at the crucial moment.
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23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 1. Deontology
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3784
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Duty prohibits some acts, whatever their consequences
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Full Idea:
The deontological view is that some acts are absolutely prohibited, regardless of consequences.
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From:
Jonathan Glover (Introductions to Utilitarianism and its Critics [1990], Pt Five)
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23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 1. Utilitarianism
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3782
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Satisfaction of desires is not at all the same as achieving happiness
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Full Idea:
Objections to utilitarianism as maximisation of preferences: faded past desires or the desires of the dead; obtaining desires and happiness are different; fewer desires are easier to satisfy; pain is good if it can be removed.
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From:
report of Jonathan Glover (Introductions to Utilitarianism and its Critics [1990], Pt Two) by PG - Db (ideas)
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23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 5. Rule Utilitarianism
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3787
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Rule-utilitarianism is either act-utilitarianism, or not really utilitarian
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Full Idea:
Rule-utilitarianism seems either to collapse into act-utilitarianism, or else it is only partly utilitarian.
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From:
Jonathan Glover (Introductions to Utilitarianism and its Critics [1990], Pt Six)
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24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 2. Population / a. Human population
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3783
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How can utilitarianism decide the ideal population size?
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Full Idea:
There are deep problems for utilitarianism in trying to work out what the ideal population size would be.
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From:
Jonathan Glover (Introductions to Utilitarianism and its Critics [1990], Pt Four)
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