The man’s name was John, and he was a utilitarian. He believed that the best way to make decisions was to focus on maximizing overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people.
John had been married twice before, and both of his marriages had ended in divorce. The first time, he was accused of violence, and the second time, he was simply unhappy.
After his second divorce, John decided that he wanted to find a third wife. He believed that if he could find a woman who was happy with him, then he would be able to achieve a state of maximum utility.
John eventually found a woman named Mary, and they were married a few months later. Mary had a two-year-old son from a previous relationship, and John was happy to become a father figure to the boy.
John and Mary were very happy together, and they seemed to be living the perfect utilitarian life. However, John’s utilitarianism soon led to havoc.
One day, John was at work when he received a call from Mary. She told him that she had been in a car accident, and that she was in the hospital. John rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. Mary had died in the accident.
John was devastated by Mary’s death, and he began to question his utilitarian beliefs. He realized that he had been so focused on maximizing overall utility that he had neglected the importance of individual happiness.
John also realized that his utilitarianism had led him to overlook the potential risks of his actions. He had married Mary even though he knew that she had a young son, and he had never considered the possibility that she might die.
John’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of utilitarianism. It shows how the pursuit of maximum utility can sometimes lead to unintended consequences and havoc.
In John’s case, his utilitarianism led him to marry a woman with a young son, even though he knew that she could die. This decision ultimately backfired, as Mary died in a car accident, leaving John to raise her son alone.
John’s story also shows how utilitarianism can lead to the neglect of individual happiness. In John’s case, he was so focused on maximizing overall utility that he neglected the importance of Mary’s happiness. This ultimately led to her death, which was a tragedy for both John and her son.
John’s story is a reminder that utilitarianism is not a perfect ethical theory. It can sometimes lead to unintended consequences and havoc, and it can also lead to the neglect of individual happiness. If we are to use utilitarianism to make decisions, we must be careful to consider the potential risks and to avoid neglecting the importance of individual happiness.
— hiro (@hiro_osaka_jp) June 24, 2023
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