功利主義における道徳的基準の問題

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  • 功利主義における道徳的規準の問題
  • コウリ シュギ ニ オケル ドウトクテキ キジュン ノ モンダイ
  • The Problem of the Moral Criterion in Utilitarianism

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説明

In "Utilitarianism" Mill maintains that, happiness being the only thing desirable as an end, the greatest happiness is the ultimate criterion of what is right or wrong. "The happiness which forms the utilitarian standard of what is right in conduct, is not the agent's own happiness, but that of all concerned." Hence, according to Mill, the foundation of morals is the greatest happiness and all duties which morally bind all of us are grounded on the utility to the greatest happiness. For example, the value we set upon the duty of justice can be entirely derived from it. Further, Mill asserts, "If utility is the ultimate source of moral obligations, utility may be invoked to decide between them when their demands are incompatible." Therefore utility is, for Mill, the highest moral principle in the sense that it is not only the foundation of all duties, but also the umpire entitled to reconcile conflicts between them. In this paper I propose to examine these Mill's assertions and especially our attention is paid to his considerations of the connection between justice and utility, which is handled in the fifth chapter of "Utilitarianism". There he discerns four notions of justice: (1) abstention from doing harm to others, (2) distribution in accordance with desert, (3) impartiality and (4) equality. All these are considered to be dependent on the principle of utility. Therefore, I will examine the connection between justice and utility, and question whether justice can be derived from utility. In the last half of this paper the problems of distribution in accordance with desert and spiritual value are to be considered in the relation to the respect for equality. In conclusion I will insist that the idea of justice seems to be still a stumbling block to the utilitarian ethics and in spite of Mill's effort the problem of justice cannot be answered by the appeal to the principle of utility.

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