Utilitarianism, Self-Forgetfulness, And Spontaneity

When we critically investigate a moral theory, such as utilitarianism, we are interested not only in the moral judgments such a theory would yield, but also in the attitudes and actions characteristic of the moral practitioner, in this case a utilitarian. For moral theories must be practical. Such theories can be distinguished in part from each other on the basis of he practices and attitudes adopted by their adherents. So it is fair to ask of any moral theory two basic questions: (i) is the theory ‘practicable’ and (ii), if it is, does its practice seem moral? If (i) a moral theory is not practicable because, say, its practice frustrates its intention, then that theory as it stands is not acceptable as a moral theory. If (ii) it is practicable but its characteristic practices seem immoral (e.g. the theory's practice involves routine lying and cheating), then at best the theory stands in need of some defence by its advocates. They may either explain away the appearance of immorality by showing that contrary to first impressions the practices are not opposed to our untutored moral views, or that our untutored moral views are more questionable than the theory's practices (e.g. our everyday practices are inconsistent with each other)

Cheating · Epistemology · Immorality · Moral development · Moral disengagement · Moral psychology · Morality · Normative ethics · Social cognitive theory of morality · Sociology · Utilitarianism · Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Problems of the Self

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• Utilitarianism

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• The Grounds of Moral Judgement

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• Utilitarianism

  Anthony Ellis, A J Ellis et al.•The Philosophical Quarterly•1974

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• Motive Utilitarianism

  Robert Merrihew Adams, Inc The Journal Of Philosophy•The Journal of Philosophy•1976

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• The Grounds of Moral Judgement

  G J Warnock, Geoffrey Russell Grice•The Philosophical Quarterly•1968

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