Week 3A: Utilitarianism
In the reading this week on Utilitarianism, one of the points made about the theory is that it does not take motivation into account. Mill states, “He who saves a fellow creature from drowning does what is morally right, whether his motive be duty or the hope of being paid for his trouble.” He says this to underscore the idea that as long as you achieve the greatest happiness for the greatest number, then “why” you did it doesn’t matter.
What do you think about this? Do our motivations matter when it comes to morality? Are we less moral if we act for less than noble reasons, such as the hope of being paid? Are we more moral if we act simply out of the duty to our fellow human beings?
Think about yourself–what motivates you to act morally? Does it effect how you feel about what you’ve done? Have you ever done something right without expecting praise or recognition? Finally, should our motivations or intentions matter, or as Mill argues, just the results?
Example 1
Evaluating actions based on their outcomes is a useful approach, but motivations are also crucial in assessing morality. For instance, if I assist someone purely out of self-interest, it doesn’t feel as morally significant as helping out of sincere concern. The internal rewards and personal satisfaction from acting with good intentions contribute to the overall moral value of an action. Results are important, but motivations show our true character and affect how we make moral choices in the future. Therefore, both aspects should be considered in evaluating morality.
Example 2
It’s interesting to think that an action’s morality is judged solely by its consequences, but I think motivations also play a significant role. If I help someone because I truly want to make a difference, it feels more rewarding than if I’m acting just to gain something. The satisfaction that comes from acting with genuine concern can’t be overlooked. Even if the end result is the same, the intention behind the action impacts how I view its moral worth. So, while focusing on results is practical, understanding motivations adds depth to our moral judgments.