"Utilitarianism" or the "greatest happiness for the greatest number," is not a new theory. It has roots in Aristotle, whom Steve Wilken's, author of Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics, states that although we want to "pursue relaxation, education, and money"--we don't just do them. We do them because we believe they will give us happiness. Even further, utilitarianism forces us to look out for the good of everyone, and not just ourselves.
An example of utilitarianism at work might be observed at a school site staff meeting. When the topic comes up of whether or not the teachers should walk the kids to class after the bell rings, or just meet them at the door, (a recent one at our staff meeting) everyone's opinions must be considered and the good of the many must win.
Well, it happened that our staff voted twenty to four in favor of walking the children to class for their safety, etc. I was one of the four who voted against, because I enjoyed meeting our children at the door and I also felt it took away some of their freedom and natural conversations that used to happen in the halls on the way to our little classroom! Plus, it's an extra effort for all teachers involved to walk over and parade them to the classes.
Although I was upset by the above decision, our staff as a group was pleased by it. Most of the staff wanted to pick up the kids from the playground. Wilkens states that we are "obliged to consider the well being of all who are being touched by our decisions." I believe our staff definitely did that in our recent meeting.
However, the one problem I have with utilitarianism, is this: "What about the person who believes in her heart that another course of direction is just as good for the group, or what about individual thought and creativity?"
Wilkens again states that we need to look at the results of a plan, etc. He says we must look at results to get our answers. I agree with this to a point, but it appears to me that God gave us all the right to choose and based on my prior readings from my coursework, this sounds almost Marxist or even borderline Nihilist.
I think we might be in danger when we take away someone's choice and free will in utilitarianism, and further, it fails to consider the psychological effect upon those who don't agree with the greater good.
Another major consequentialist theory is called: "ethical egoism." In this theory a person looks out for himself or herself as the highest authority. Wilkins says it is the old bumper sticker slogan of: look out for number one." The biggest principle of ethical egoism is the fact that we should not "fear selfishness, but rather embrace it as the highest principle of morality."
Wilkins also mentions Ayn Rand, the Russian author who left her country at age 20. Rand believed that ethical egoism or altruism helped us become more just, increased our self-esteem, and our love for other. In a sense, this reminds me of the old saying: "You can't love someone else if you don't love yourself." That statement has always concerned me a bit, but until I read Wilkins I didn't understand why.
I believe the reason I've never been at home with the statement: "You can't love someone else if you don't love yourself" (a truly ethical egoist phrase-possibly) has to do with the good or evil in the foundation of the phrase. I must critique the ethical egoist thinker on the grounds of scripture.
In Romans 12:2 we are encouraged that: "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." If that is true, then my concern with myself has been obliterated. Rand would probably say it is a good thing to think about your own interests all the time. Although I might agree with her to a degree, I would also disagree with her based on true Christ-like character.
Paul said and I paraphrase: "be like me in word, thought, and deeds." Well, he was making a selfish statement in one sense, but because we know he loved the Lord so much, he was making that statement based on his faith and walk with God.
You see, I believe all true Christians would have a bit of healthy "ethical egoism" in them, but it is not based on self, it is based on the freedom to be yourself because of the death to your old nature, and the life to your new. "Where the spirit of the Lord is-there is freedom." (Holy Bible) Also the scripture says that whom the Son sets free is free indeed. If I am already free, I do not have a huge need to seek after myself. Yet, I will be confident in myself, because Christ has done the freeing. Does that make sense?
On July 4th of each year the citizens of the U.S. "we the people" commemorate our nation's birth with a patriotic holiday. We call it Independence Day. We celebrate that our country chose to shake off the shackles of oppression and to establish a government that believed in the importance of liberty and a different kind of freedom.
Independence Day like many summer holidays, gets overshadowed by things like parties, family gatherings, picnics, and day off from work. Yet, at the heart of these pursuits is the desire to freely enjoy our lives, and our individual way of thinking.
Throughout our U.S. history millions have flocked to our shores seeking a life with this promise "The American Dream" as most call it. Our country has grown tremendously in wealth and influence precisely because we accepted these people. They are not always welcomed with open arms because racism and bigotry have always been around. But the diversity of our population is one of our greatest assets. Too often we think it is the source of our problems. Our mindset is that it was alright for our ancestors to find America's shores, but we're reluctant about today's new arrivals, usually out of fear that will take our piece of American pie.
Today it is easy to criticize what we find wrong with our country, our political, and our legal system. The lack of equality when it comes to the freedom to pursue "life, liberty and our pursuit of happiness." It is our right and a duty of each citizen to protest injustice. That was exactly what was happening back in 1776 when the colonists were fed up with the imposition of unfair taxation, representation, and repression they felt from "Mother England."
Before we can prophetically speak on the issues of societal freedom I think we must first look at our individual freedom. We cannot separate the two and be fair, and we can't demand changes in the system unless we first look closely at our own situations and face up to the freedoms we have that come with our patriotic responsibility as a citizen, and Christian beliefs.
If you are currently living with an income that meets your basic needs of food and shelter, and you have the freedom to worship as you please. If you have done some "inside work" to discover how much you live from your false self (the one that always wants to get your own way, even with good intentions) and the opportunity to live from your true self (the one that is in union with God and our fellow man), then you must face up to the responsibility of being a freedom fighter for God's kingdom and this great country.
Before you pick up your picket sign and go marching off to war for social justice, just take a moment to look at what Jesus did in his situation in Palestine. He didn't go around demanding that Rome leave the occupied Holy land. He didn't tell his disciples or the people that He spoke to that they are the only ones who get God's grace. But He did remark about the many that were persecuted, prosecuted, and those who were not in favor with the current government and Jewish hierarchy. If you are intrigued by these comments you could go read this for yourself, the messages are there in the four Gospels of the New Testament.
Jesus gave us an invitation to follow Him in the way of real truth, real justice and real freedom. He told us that when we receive others we are receiving Him, and following the commandments that our Father in heaven asks us to do. He gathered the small children in His arms and instructed grownups to be innocent and trusting like children. He also told us the world would not understand this, and we would face persecution, and possibly prosecution when we choose to follow this path.
The struggle for each of us face is to be honest with where we are with these teachings in our daily lives. This takes a daily assessment and reckoning. We cannot be completely faithful unless we are spending more time looking at ourselves, our faults, our shortcomings, and the blessings that we receive, than we are at pointing out the faults of others, or envying the blessings that others receive.
The teachings of Jesus in the Four Gospels give us clear cut directions on how to do this. I know I can't begin to honestly assess my faults and blessings without this help in the Four Gospels and also with the strength we receive from our Father in heaven.
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