Utilitarianism In Criminal Justice

Utilitarianism Definitions of Justice like “giving individuals what they deserve” or “equal distribution of resources” cause tension with utilitarianism concept because it states that what people ‘deserve’ is not essential as maximizing the overall well-being. The concept of utilitarianism is to maximize happiness or minimize suffering and none of these concepts bears a direct relationship with the concept of justice. So, a decrease in suffering or increase in happiness will not correlate with an increase in justice. The concept of justice can in many ways entail decreasing happiness or increasing suffering according to what is thought to be the right thing, whereas the concept of utilitarianism mostly approves the idea of desert if the effect it causes in utilitarian (minimizes suffering or
According to Shea (17) the utilitarian model of decision making process is similar to the concept of majority rule whereby each group members has the right to vote. This idea can be an indication that the majority of people can decide to vote against what is ‘deserved’ provided that their decision maximizes happiness and minimizes suffering. As such, when the preferences of a moral system chooses utilitarianism that endeavors to maximize utility usually less suffering and more happiness, could cause the unjust treatment of weak and voiceless people in the society for the sake of general happiness as a result of majority rule that ignores the minority. Therefore, the concepts of utilitarianism and justice are countercurrent to each other and utilitarianism cannot accommodate the concept of justice