Utilitarianism is a sound theory

It is my honor to have RyuuKyuzo in this debate. May both of us enjoy this debate Defintion In order to determine the soundness of a theory, it is imperative to know the exact meaning of the theory. Utilitarianism, according to John Stuart Mill, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure. This theory of morality is grounded on the assumption that pleasure, and freedom from pain, are the ONLY things desirable as end; and that all desirable things are desirable either for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as means to the promotion of pleasure and the prevention of pain. Consequently, it follows that our moral duty is to maximize happiness (right) and minimize pain (wrong). All action is for the sake of some end, regardless of the eventual attainability of such event. It seems rather natural to suppose that rules of action must take their whole color from the end to which they are subservient. According to this doctrine, a clear and precise conception of what we are pursuing would appear to be the first and foremost thing we need consider. A test of right and wrong, therefore, must be the means of ascertaining what is right or wrong, and not a mere consequence of having already ascertained it. (Utilitarianism) Implication The Dark Knight: The Joker"s Social Experiment Those who once watched the movie would vividly recall the final scene when the Joker placed everyone in a very delicate situation: As the apex of the film"s moral play, a ferry filled of criminals is pitched against another one full of upstanding citizens. Each boat is given a choice to blow up the other to survive. In other word, you have to blow the other boat to ensure your own survival. If neither of you act, the Joker will blow both boats up. How should one react in this situation and would Utilitarianism lead us to reach the righteous conclusion? It is a terrifying social experiment. The Joker picked his groups perfectly. On the one hand, we have a group of criminals who have committed all manner of heinous crimes. One the other hand, we have a group of innocent citizens including children and women. One could argue that it is extremely terrible that everyone will be killed, but I have no right to kill anyone. Therefore, if I activate the detonator, then I will have committed an act of evil. The consequence is so severe that I would be compelled to accept the first option (do nothing) and face whatever fate awaits me. This choice seems to go against Utilitarianism since the theory demands that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, and by its stand, one should blow up the other boat. It is a fair criticism, but the particular path that movie follows takes an additional assumption that may not exist in the real life example: The possibility that the Joker will blow up both boats even if one blows up the other boat. Essentially, movie assumes that deaths are guaranteed to happen with or without one"s action. In this case, given the fact that eventual result is determined, one would be compelled to accept the first option. I.e., Do nothing. Utilitarianism actually would reach the same conclusion by having this particular assumption: Given the fact that everyone has to die, it is not right for me to make the decision who would die first since the decision would undermine my own happiness and induce pain. The overall happiness thereby suffers following my decision. Therefore I would not blow up the other boat. In reality, however, there are no guarantee of such thing. In fact, it is not immoral to blow up the other boat if one believes that the Joker would keep his words. In this case, the person who designates the explosion was acting heroically as he or she saves more life than one would have expected. Accordingly, he or she was acting morally by ensuring the maximum happiness. Conclusion Utilitarianism is a theory that guides people to go through difficulty situations. Intuition is useful when one does not have to face dilemma. In the case where one must decides his or her own fate, Utilitarianism provides a powerful mean to reach for the best conclusion.