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Name: Alex

Braoudakis
Date: 16/01/2012
Class: Philosophy SL
IB1
Summary of the discussion on Utilitarianism of John Wolf

In a chapter of John Wolfs book it discussed the subject of


utilitarianism as an argument to justify the State. In this chapter
Wolf discuss about how the utilitarianism theory can justify the
power of the State over us after the failure of the contractarian and
the State of nature argument.
The definition of utilitarianism given in his is that an action is
morally correct if it brings the highest possible total of sum.
Furthermore, he defines utility as happiness or pleasure, in order to
suggest that we must measure and quantify utility so that we can
know which action creates the more benefits to the community.
However, he argues that this suggestion is a problematic one
because we cant measure happiness without a scale to compare
situations. He refers to this problem as the interpersonal comparison
of utility.
Furthermore, he describes how Jeremy Bentham supports the
idea of utilitarianism. He claims we should obey the laws if and only
if our obedience leads to a greater happiness of society than our
disobedience. However, as Wolf states this claim of Bentham
creates a serious problem. This problem is that everyone can and
must violate the laws if it is to his advantage. This will lead to
immoral actions, which will conclude on creating a society full of
insecurity

and

injustice.

Furthermore,

Wolf

makes

small

comparison between the state of nature and the state that he


describes. This comparison is that both states lead to overall
unhappiness. For this reason Wolf presents the idea of indirect
utilitarianism where some laws are necessarily to be obeyed for the

general happiness in long-term. Furthermore, Wolf extends the idea


of Benthams theory and talks about how laws should be repealed
and replaced if they fail to serve the proper utilitarian function.
Then, he justifies the State as a mechanism through this argument.
However, he explains various reasons why this isnt the case. He
explains that the State and the State of Nature are not the only
solutions, he explains that even though the state provides
happiness, this happiness isnt always a consequence of a morally
correct action.

Moreover, Wolf describes that the problem of

immorality will lead to grave injustice and describes it as the


scapegoat argument.

He concludes that this injustice, if not

noticeable, will not harm society and thus utilitarianism calculus.


Finally, he concludes that utilitarianism isnt enough to justify the
state even in its direct form.

Words: 404

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