Summary of our discussion

3.3 Morality Based on Moral Consequences

What makes an action or a choice the morally correct one?  We discussed the questions at the end of the section, starting with JS Mill’s famous assertion:  “Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.”  We acknowledged that while Socrates may have had a more elevated and spiritual life, intellectual powers alone don't guarantee personal happiness.  However, possessing the higher qualities in life —such as greater empathy, social responsibility and freedom of expression — can help us to serve the greater good, aligning with utilitarian principles.  Mill, as one of the notable social reformers of his era, championed causes such as aid to the poor, social tolerance and women’s rights, which marked a shift from morals rooted primarily in religion.

We also debated whether happiness should be the ultimate aim of moral life and suggested that happiness arises from a sense of control over our own lives.  However, we recognised that ‘happiness’ is just one possible label and that ‘benefit’ could also fit.  Importantly, moral thinking has evolved since Mill’s time.  The Human Rights Act, for example, lies outside utilitarianism, and today we acknowledge the need to temper utilitarian thinking with other principles and caveats.

The discussion then turned to the “torture and the ticking time bomb” thought experiment.  From a consequentialist perspective, torturing one terrorist might seem justified if it’s the only way to save 1,000 lives.  However, we noted that some actions are intrinsically right or wrong, regardless of their outcomes and the ends don’t always justify the means.  Compassion remains essential, and there’s always the risk of targeting the wrong individual.

We thought ethical egoism, the view that right actions are those that further one's own best interests, is the foundation of capitalism.  This has proved itself to be the system under which the greatest number of people achieve the highest standard of living.  However, without adequate regulation or a welfare system, it can result in negative consequences such as water pollution and homelessness.  Ethical egoism acknowledges the truth about the selfishness of human nature, whereas communism does not. 

References

The Manosphere  Netflix 

The Big Short Netflix

Trump and the Tech Titans  iPlayer