Is all of ethics fundamentally utilitarian?

[2ndRateMind]

So, we have deontology, grounded in the idea of a duty to keep rules (often owed to God). We have situation ethics, grounded in the idea of different responses, depending on the situation. We have virtue ethics, grounded in the idea of developing and expressing good character. And we have utilitarianism, which is unashamedly grounded in outcome, 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number'. So we have duty and rule, situation, character, and outcome all vying for the ethical space.

But on examination, the deontologist stresses duty because (s)he thinks that will lead to the best outcome, the situation ethicist thinks that flexibility is the route to the best outcome, and the virtue ethicist thinks a population of good characters will lead to the best outcome. But they all, eventually, end up in the same space, which is the utilitarian justification based on outcome.

What do you all think?

Best wishes, everyone. 2RM.

 

[Edward]

So, we have deontology, grounded in the idea of a duty to keep rules (often owed to God). We have situation ethics, grounded in the idea of different responses, depending on the situation. We have virtue ethics, grounded in the idea of developing and expressing good character. And we have utilitarianism, which is unashamedly grounded in outcome, 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number'. So we have duty and rule, situation, character, and outcome all vying for the ethical space.

But on examination, the deontologist stresses duty because (s)he thinks that will lead to the best outcome, the situation ethicist thinks that flexibility is the route to the best outcome, and the virtue ethicist thinks a population of good characters will lead to the best outcome. But they all, eventually, end up in the same space, which is the utilitarian justification based on outcome.

What do you all think?

Best wishes, everyone. 2RM.

I think that, Praise the Lord that we are able to be led by His Spirit, because otherwise, as you have pointed out, life would be very confusing when we are not in the Spirit.

Not a lot of Christians (it seems) can hear God speaking to them, they haven't learned how to listen yet. In those cases I would suggest that, listening to ones own conscience talking to you. Because Your conscience will always tell you to do the right thing and the most honorable thing.

Now, I'm not sure if our conscience that we hear is our spirit trying to talk to us...or if it is actually the Holy Spirit trying to talk to us. But euther way it doesn't matter because our spirit is in direct contact and communication with God, so he always knows the right thing to do in any situation. That's why you should always listen to your conscience.

 

[Who Me]

What do you all think?

That to have an ethical code one has to recognise the code giver and for Christians that is God.
While religion does stress the importance of keeping to the rules, Christianity talks about obedience based on love for the code giver.

 

[2ndRateMind]

...you should always listen to your conscience.

Agreed. Sometimes it is obvious what your conscience is telling you, sometimes you need to listen carefully to hear that still, small voice. Either way, a quiet, satisfied conscience is, perhaps, the most important component of positive mental health.

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

[2ndRateMind]

That to have an ethical code one has to recognise the code giver and for Christians that is God.
While religion does stress the importance of keeping to the rules, Christianity talks about obedience based on love for the code giver.

Hmmm. When I have a moral conundrum to solve, I like to look at it from all the perspectives I listed in the OP. The issue I have with just following rules is that there seems to be many exceptions to rules, and exceptions to the exceptions. (eg., Thou shalt not kill. Unless one is a soldier at war. Unless the soldier's target is a non-combatant. etc, etc). And also it is too easy to abdicate responsibility by citing rules, and then interpret them in a way that suits oneself.

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

[Who Me]

The issue I have with just following rules

I have not stressed just following rules.

If you have a girlfriend/wife do you only do what she expects of you or do you out of love for her seek to understand her and anticipate her needs?

This is what Jesus is expecting when he challenged us, that if we love him, we will obey his commands.
Look at how in the sermon on the mount he turn literal obedience upsife down by appling it spiritually. Looking with lust equals adultery, Hatred through anger equals murder.
Christianity is never, ever about just having faith and be;lieving, but always about understandin the reasons why one believes and applying that to life.

 

[2ndRateMind]

I agree with this. I try to follow Jesus' two great commandments in everything I do: to love God, and to love each other. However, where Jesus gets more specific than this, His rules are far from comprehensive, and this is where there is scope for the kind of moral philosophies I have outlined in the OP.

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

[OzSpen]

So, we have deontology, grounded in the idea of a duty to keep rules (often owed to God). We have situation ethics, grounded in the idea of different responses, depending on the situation. We have virtue ethics, grounded in the idea of developing and expressing good character. And we have utilitarianism, which is unashamedly grounded in outcome, 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number'. So we have duty and rule, situation, character, and outcome all vying for the ethical space.

But on examination, the deontologist stresses duty because (s)he thinks that will lead to the best outcome, the situation ethicist thinks that flexibility is the route to the best outcome, and the virtue ethicist thinks a population of good characters will lead to the best outcome. But they all, eventually, end up in the same space, which is the utilitarian justification based on outcome.

What do you all think?

Best wishes, everyone. 2RM.

2RM,

You've forgotten absolute ethics ruled by God's commands to believers. See:
"Compare the Ten Commandments with New Testament Teaching."

Oz

 

[Edward]

I have not stressed just following rules.

If you have a girlfriend/wife do you only do what she expects of you or do you out of love for her seek to understand her and anticipate her needs?

This is what Jesus is expecting when he challenged us, that if we love him, we will obey his commands.
Look at how in the sermon on the mount he turn literal obedience upsife down by appling it spiritually. Looking with lust equals adultery, Hatred through anger equals murder.
Christianity is never, ever about just having faith and be;lieving, but always about understandin the reasons why one believes and applying that to life.

Exactly. No, it's not all about following the rules. But face it, we have to follow the rules. It's for our own good and spiritual advancement and learning new things, becoming better equipped to do a bigger work(s) for the Lord and His Kingdom.

In that way, the Lord knows that we love Him and desire to put on His image and character. And that's being obediant. The Lord rewards obedience, scripture says so. It also says that we should build up our treasures in Heaven.

Not that I obey and do good works just for the reward because it's not like that. It's more about relationship with Him and joining Spirits with Him...for eternity! Anyone who's ever been in the presence of even a smidgen of God's glory knows what I am talking about.

Nevertheless, rewards do build up that way also because, that's how God rolls. He is so, loving and generous that, He can't help it but to be nice to us! That's who He is!

So of course there can be and is, promotions within the Kingdom of God...

And honestly, I'd rather not be the plumber again, (so to speak). On that note, who can I help today? :yes

 

[Prycejosh1987]

I think that, Praise the Lord that we are able to be led by His Spirit, because otherwise, as you have pointed out, life would be very confusing when we are not in the Spirit.

Its hard to say what is spirit and what is not, many Christians get it wrong. I believe what the scripture says and go by the logic of the texts. The Holy Spirit only brings to our minds what the disciples figured out and heard from from Jesus Himself.

 

[2ndRateMind]

Its hard to say what is spirit and what is not, many Christians get it wrong. I believe what the scripture says and go by the logic of the texts. The Holy Spirit only brings to our minds what the disciples figured out and heard from from Jesus Himself.

Actually, I think humanity has made a lot more social, scientific, philosophical and theological progress than that. Since Jesus, and, often enough, because of Jesus.

Best wishes, 2RM.