How Does Utilitarianism Aid In Self-Determination?
Gunnar Almgren (2012), provides an in depth analysis of social justice theories, Libertarianism, Utilitarianism, Marxism, and the Capabilities Approach.
Utilitarianism is the belief of maximizing good for the greatest amount of people (Almgren, 2012, p. 8). An example of this is taxes that are levied in order to build community infrastructures. This theory is extremely useful as it focuses on the happiness and benefits of citizens. However, after reading Madison Powers and Ruth Faden’s Essential Dimensions of Well-being, I came to realize that utilitarianism, by default, does not aid in self-determination.
Self-determination is described as a characteristic that leads people to make decisions based on their own desires and needs (NGSD, 2015).
Although utilitarian standards is to create good for the maximum number of people, “governments are not ethically obligated to respect any aspect of individual autonomy, happiness, or well-being that runs counter to the maximization of the general good of all…” (Almgren, 2012, p.11). Gentrification, for example, is the process of accommodating an influx of wealthier people through renovation, which results in increased rent, property values in existing improvised neighborhoods (PBS, 2003). Often we read about advantages of gentrification, such as new job opportunities, economic growth, homeowner benefits, and decreased crime rates — all of which are beneficial to renovated community. However, major consequences are but not limited to deconstruction of social structure, homelessness as a result of displacement; and increased economic burden on poor people.
In my opinion, a strict utilitarian approach undermines self-determination because people that experience negative consequences of a decision for the overall community will be, in a sense, be denied their right to shape their lives by their own choices (Powers, 2008, p. 26).
Powers, Madison; Faden, Ruth (2008-09-25). Social Justice: The Moral Foundations of Public Health and Health Policy (Issues in Biomedical Ethics) (p. 26). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition. .
PBS. (2003, June). What is Gentrification? | Flag Wars | POV | PBS. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/pov/flagwars/what-is-gentrification/
National Gateway to Self-Determination. (2015). What is Self-Determination? Retrieved from http://www.ngsd.org/everyone/what-self-determination
National Gateway to Self-Determination. (2015). What is Self-Determination? Retrieved from http://www.ngsd.org/everyone/what-self-determination
Almgren MSW PhD, Gunnar (2012-10-25). Health Care Politics, Policy and Services: A Social Justice Analysis, Second Edition (p. 11). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
Utilitarianism is the belief of maximizing good for the greatest amount of people (Almgren, 2012, p. 8). An example of this is taxes that are levied in order to build community infrastructures. This theory is extremely useful as it focuses on the happiness and benefits of citizens. However, after reading Madison Powers and Ruth Faden’s Essential Dimensions of Well-being, I came to realize that utilitarianism, by default, does not aid in self-determination.
Self-determination is described as a characteristic that leads people to make decisions based on their own desires and needs (NGSD, 2015).
Although utilitarian standards is to create good for the maximum number of people, “governments are not ethically obligated to respect any aspect of individual autonomy, happiness, or well-being that runs counter to the maximization of the general good of all…” (Almgren, 2012, p.11). Gentrification, for example, is the process of accommodating an influx of wealthier people through renovation, which results in increased rent, property values in existing improvised neighborhoods (PBS, 2003). Often we read about advantages of gentrification, such as new job opportunities, economic growth, homeowner benefits, and decreased crime rates — all of which are beneficial to renovated community. However, major consequences are but not limited to deconstruction of social structure, homelessness as a result of displacement; and increased economic burden on poor people.
In my opinion, a strict utilitarian approach undermines self-determination because people that experience negative consequences of a decision for the overall community will be, in a sense, be denied their right to shape their lives by their own choices (Powers, 2008, p. 26).
Powers, Madison; Faden, Ruth (2008-09-25). Social Justice: The Moral Foundations of Public Health and Health Policy (Issues in Biomedical Ethics) (p. 26). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition. .
PBS. (2003, June). What is Gentrification? | Flag Wars | POV | PBS. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/pov/flagwars/what-is-gentrification/
National Gateway to Self-Determination. (2015). What is Self-Determination? Retrieved from http://www.ngsd.org/everyone/what-self-determination
National Gateway to Self-Determination. (2015). What is Self-Determination? Retrieved from http://www.ngsd.org/everyone/what-self-determination
Almgren MSW PhD, Gunnar (2012-10-25). Health Care Politics, Policy and Services: A Social Justice Analysis, Second Edition (p. 11). Springer Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.