Utilitarian Philosophy

Question

 Utilitarians say that sometimes we should put someone in jail for doing something even though what they have done is morally good by (Act) utilitarian lights. Give an example and explain why, according to utilitarianism, we should put someone in jail for doing something even though what they did is (according to utilitarianism) the right act.

Answer 1

For the Act Utilitarian, the right thing to do is the action that produces the most pleasure and the least pain.

Imagine a case where someone in a town does the right thing (their action produces the most pleasure and least pain), but people don't see it that way. Maybe they shoot the beloved town dog because they realize it has rabies. This is the right thing to do (maximizes pleasure), but the whole town is furious with them! They killed the dog! They're so mad, that the town is about to riot and lynch the perpetrator.

In this case, the sheriff might choose to throw that person in jail to prevent the riot. So the sheriff is doing the right thing (maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain by preventing a riot) even though the individual themselves did the right thing.

Cases like this bring out some counter-intuitive features of Utilitarianism that result from the singular focus on consequences.

Hope this helps!