Hence also the ethical difficulty relating to abortion. Although abortion might be the utilitarian course of action; the mother does not have the finances to support a baby: there is no husband; the baby will not have access to his or her basic rights as a person, the ethical viewpoint of many fundamentalists is that it simply cannot be morally justified to kill an unborn baby.
The problem related to utilitarianism and humanity is therefore the fact that human beings are generally emotionally involved in their decision making. Utilitarianism divorces
This can also be seen in Marilyn's story. Barton's and the Commander's emotions are clearly deeply touched by Marilyn's predicament and please. The reader's emotions are similarly touched. Interestingly, however, both the reader and Barton, and ultimately Marilyn, understand that the utilitarian way is the most likely one to have anything approaching a favorable outcome.
Human beings are emotional creatures. More often than not, decisions are based upon emotion, especially when it comes to decisions that affect children and young people. Marilyn was just a youngster. The reader feels emotion for her because she is characterized as someone to pity. The ill men are not characterized as all; therefore the reader does not feel as much sympathy for them. Yet the utilitarian view remains the chosen course of action.
