Examples Of Utilitarianism

In this paper, I will argue for the truth of utilitarianism. In my opinion, the most interesting version of utilitarianism is hedonistic utilitarianism. It is the most interesting because it defies logic and rationale in favor of impulsion decision making. Hedonistic utilitarianism is the most interesting version because it is tied more intrinsically into the wellbeing of an organism, specifically humans, than any other alternatives of utilitarianism. Other forms of utilitarianism are wide-ranging and in my opinion not applicable to everyday decision making processes for one’s actions, whereas embracing a hedonistic decision making process is simple by conforming to ones desires based on impulse and therefore more applicable to everyday scenarios
The only thing that exists in this universe is space and planets without life. Based on this universe, there are no beings around the care about anything and therefore any ethical disputes are made void because there is no one to care about anything.
Example 1: Now consider a universe in which there is only one human in existence, I shall name him Leo. In Leo’s mind the only thing that governs his ethics is the creation of sand castles. To Leo, making sand castles maximizes his pleasure at the minimization of his pain. Because building sand castles is the only action that governs his moral obligations he does this on his day-to-day affairs.
Example 2: Now consider a universe in which there are only two humans. One of these organisms is Leo, and the other Gemma. In Gemma’s mind the only thing that governs her ethics is the prevention of sand castles. To Gemma, preventing sand castles maximizes her pleasure at the minimization of her pain. Because preventing sand castles is the only action that governs her moral obligations she does this on her day-to-day
Suppose we could assume that for the sake of this argument that if Leo or Gemma is in pain they do not conceive that they are in pain, but rather that they cannot maximize their pleasure to the fullest. By this logic either of them would not want to receive enduring negative sensations and would try to fulfill positive enduring sensations. In order to achieve positive sensations they must contradict each other’s moral obligations. If Gemma stops Leo from building a sandcastle she maximizes her own pleasurable sensations without care for the pain this causes for Leo. Therefore my definition of hedonistic utilitarianism stands true, in that Gemma is her own sample size so her actions are only going to positively reinforce herself. The same logic applies to Leo if he builds a sandcastle. Clearly either Leo or Gemma’s pain matters even if either of them cannot comprehend their pain from not achieving their preferable