Theories of Justice
The Utilitarian Theory of Justice is a consequentialist theory that holds that the best kind of society is one that maximizes overall happiness. According to utilitarianism, justice is achieved when the greatest happiness is achieved for the greatest number of people. This theory was first developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Utilitarianism is based on the idea of the greatest good for the greatest number. This means that actions should be evaluated on the basis of their consequences, and the consequences should be measured by the amount of happiness or pleasure they produce. For utilitarians, justice is achieved when the benefits of an action outweigh the costs.
For example, a utilitarian might argue that a law that prohibits smoking in public places is just because it promotes the health and wellbeing of non-smokers, who make up a larger proportion of the population than smokers. The happiness of non-smokers is therefore increased, outweighing the unhappiness of smokers who are not able to smoke in public places.
Critics of utilitarianism argue that it is difficult to measure happiness and that the theory does not take into account the rights of individuals. For example, a utilitarian might argue that it is just to sacrifice the happiness of a minority group if it benefits the majority, which could lead to the oppression of minority groups.
Despite these criticisms, utilitarianism remains an influential theory of justice and is often used to justify policies and laws that promote overall happiness and wellbeing in society.
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