Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? Episode 02: "PUTTING A PRICE TAG ON LIFE"

Harvard University・2 minutes read

Funding for the program comes from previous discussions on the Queen versus Dudley and Stephens lifeboat case, while Jeremy Bentham's utilitarian philosophy focuses on maximizing general welfare by balancing pleasure and pain. John Stuart Mill argued for distinguishing between higher and lower pleasures, emphasizing the importance of justice grounded in utility for societal well-being.

Insights

  • Cost-benefit analysis, derived from utilitarianism, assigns dollar values to costs and benefits, as demonstrated in cases like Philip Morris in the Czech Republic and Ford Pinto, raising ethical concerns about valuing human life in monetary terms.
  • John Stuart Mill's efforts to humanize utilitarianism by distinguishing between higher and lower pleasures, as seen in comparisons between Shakespeare and The Simpsons, highlight the subjectivity and complexity of value judgments, challenging the notion that all values can be quantified uniformly.

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Recent questions

  • What is utilitarian philosophy?

    The utilitarian philosophy, developed by Jeremy Bentham, focuses on maximizing general welfare or collective happiness by balancing pleasure over pain for the greatest good for the greatest number.

  • What is cost-benefit analysis?

    Cost-benefit analysis, derived from utilitarian logic, assigns dollar values to costs and benefits of proposals to determine the most favorable course of action, as seen in the Czech Republic's smoking tax case.

  • How did Philip Morris use cost-benefit analysis?

    Philip Morris utilized cost-benefit analysis in the Czech Republic to find a net public finance gain of $147 million, considering health care savings and tax revenues, showcasing the application of this method in decision-making processes.

  • What are the criticisms of utilitarianism?

    Critics question utilitarianism's focus on maximizing utility, particularly concerning minority rights and individual values, highlighting concerns about the ethical implications of prioritizing the majority over minority interests.

  • How did John Stuart Mill address concerns about utilitarianism?

    John Stuart Mill attempted to humanize utilitarianism by distinguishing between higher and lower pleasures, emphasizing the importance of individual rights and subjective value judgments in determining the most beneficial outcomes for society.

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Summary

00:00

"Utilitarianism, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Minority Rights"

  • Funding for the program is provided by additional funding from previous discussions on the Queen versus Dudley and Stephens lifeboat case, involving cannibalism at sea.
  • Jeremy Bentham, born in England in 1748, developed utilitarian philosophy, emphasizing maximizing general welfare or collective happiness.
  • Bentham's utilitarianism focuses on maximizing utility by balancing pleasure over pain for the greatest good for the greatest number.
  • Cost-benefit analysis, derived from utilitarian logic, assigns dollar values to costs and benefits of proposals, as seen in the Czech Republic's smoking tax case.
  • Philip Morris' cost-benefit analysis in the Czech Republic found a net public finance gain of $147 million, considering health care savings and tax revenues.
  • The Ford Pinto case exemplifies cost-benefit analysis, where Ford opted against safety improvements despite potential benefits due to calculated costs.
  • Controversies arise from assigning dollar values to human life in cost-benefit analysis, as seen in the Ford Pinto case and cell phone use debates.
  • Critics question utilitarianism's focus on maximizing utility, particularly concerning minority rights and individual values.
  • Concerns about minority rights in utilitarianism arise, as seen in the shipwreck case and ancient Rome's treatment of Christians.
  • The debate continues on whether utilitarianism adequately respects individual rights and if all values can be aggregated into dollar terms.

20:15

Quantifying Values: Thorndike's Utilitarianism Study

  • Thorndike conducted a survey in the 1930s to test utilitarianism assumptions by asking young recipients of relief how much they would need to be paid for various unpleasant experiences.
  • The most expensive item on the list was living the rest of one's life in Kansas, valued at $300,000, followed by eating a live earthworm for $100,000 and having a tooth pulled for $4,500 during the depression.
  • Thorndike concluded that all wants and satisfactions are measurable, whether in animals or humans, suggesting that all values can be quantified.
  • The study raised questions about whether all goods and values can truly be captured by a single uniform measure, challenging utilitarian theory.
  • The second objection to utilitarianism questions the translation of all values into a single measure, illustrated by a story about changing rules at an all-women's college.
  • John Stuart Mill attempted to humanize utilitarianism by addressing concerns about individual rights and distinguishing between higher and lower pleasures.
  • Mill argued that the only test to distinguish higher pleasures is whether someone who has experienced both would prefer one over the other.
  • A comparison of excerpts from Hamlet, Fear Factor, and The Simpsons was used to test preferences for different forms of entertainment, highlighting the subjective nature of pleasure and value judgments.
  • The debate over whether Shakespeare or The Simpsons represents a higher or worthier experience reflects the challenge of making qualitative distinctions in pleasure and value.
  • Mill's attempt to distinguish between higher and lower pleasures within utilitarian terms raises questions about the subjectivity and complexity of value judgments.

43:37

"Mill's Theory: Higher Pleasures Over Intense"

  • The discussion revolves around the concept of higher pleasures, with examples like Shakespeare and The Simpsons being compared to illustrate the idea of cultural conventions influencing personal preferences.
  • A comparison is made between intense pleasure and higher pleasure, using examples like a rat experiencing intense pleasure until death and the preference for higher pleasure over intense pleasure over a lifetime.
  • John Stuart Mill's theory on higher pleasures is discussed, emphasizing that when given a choice, the majority of people would opt for higher pleasures over lower ones.
  • Mill's attempt to distinguish between higher and lower pleasures is highlighted, with examples like going to an art museum versus being a couch potato, showcasing the cultivation and appreciation required for higher pleasures.
  • The importance of justice grounded in utility, as argued by Mill, is explained, emphasizing that justice is considered sacred and paramount for societal well-being in the long run, aligning with utilitarian reasoning.
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