Why I Reject Utilitarianism

Topic by Uintatherium

Uintatherium

Home Forums Philosophy Why I Reject Utilitarianism

This topic contains 2 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by Grumpy  Grumpy 3 years ago.

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #395034
    +2
    Uintatherium
    Uintatherium
    Participant
    1861

    Hi guys. Let’s talk about utilitarianism.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism

    Basically, utilitarianism is the belief that we should do whatever we can to help other people at all times. Some utilitarians add animals into the equation in order to promote “animal rights”.

    Today, I want to talk about why I am not a utilitarian.

    I totally get why some people love utilitarianism. On the surface, utilitarianism appears to be a good replacement for religious morality. Overall, most people who promote utilitarianism seem to be Hell-bent on destroying the “Atheists have no morals.” stereotype.

    Of course, utilitarianism comes with a few problems. For example, thinking about what other people need constantly is a pain in the ass.

    I work hard. I spend my free time doing whatever pops into my head because I can … and I deserve it. Work is hard enough. Why should I spend my free time pondering the needs of others? That sounds like work … but without pay.

    When you are applying for a job, the employer will never ask you “Are you a utilitarian?” He will just expect you to do the goddamn job.

    Furthermore, it’s hard to determine what the needs of others are. “Maximizing happiness” is notoriously hard to define.

    Me? I consider myself an egoist. I only help people when I actually feel like helping them. I obey the law, but not because I agree with it. I obey the law because fighting back is too hard. I work hard, and I spend my free time letting my imagination wander … because that’s just what I like doing.

    How can I even prove that other people exist? Cogito ergo sum.

    Several people have tried to criticize egoism in the past … though these criticisms are somewhat half-baked.

    “Do you really want to live in a world where everyone is a selfish egoist?”
    No. I’ll gladly live in a world where most people are utilitarian fools. I’ll take advantage of them by lying and cheating. Lying is only wrong if you get caught.

    “We utilitarians will create a perfect world without war or crime.”
    You can do so without my help. If a supergiant bike has enough people on it, not everyone has to pedal. You can generate power from hamster wheels even if one hamster is doing nothing.

    “Objectivism sucks!”
    Irrelevant! You don’t have to be an objectivist to be an egoist.

    I’m not trying to force my beliefs on anyone else. I’m just talking about myself because it feels good. I do my work. I follow the rules. My free time should be 100% free.

    Why replace religion with secular morality? My imagination and creativity have already replaced religion.

    “One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.”
    – Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

    MGTOW: because you can (and should) say anything about a woman as long as she isn't within earshot

    #395202
    +1
    PistolPete
    PistolPete
    Participant
    27143

    I don’t think you have defined this correctly—take a look at John Stuart Mill, ON LIBERTY. Utility is subjective, not objective.

    #395244
    Grumpy
    Grumpy
    Participant

    Ohhh Kaayyyy..
    Primary word is Utility
    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/utility

    Nowhere does it state anything the bean headed author defines.

    Something of utility is something usable to perform a function.

    Utility is subjective, not objective.

    Sums it up nicely.

    There was a time in my life when I gave a fuck. Now you have to pay ME for it

Viewing 3 posts - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.