A critique of utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is based on the principal that every action should be made to create the happiest outcome for the greatest number of people; the value of anything is based on function. Although this is the basis of Utilitarianism, the choices of particular situations are altered depending on the type of Utilitarianism someone follows. Where act Utilitarians look solely at the outcome of a decision, Rule Utilitarians make their choices based on the premise of rules. Rule Utilitarians believe that the rules that society and the government have created are there for a reason, and these rules need to be respected. Breaking these rules goes against these beliefs, though special circumstances are taken under consideration. George and Jim are faced with moral dilemmas and have to decide their own fates based on the principles of Rule Utilitarianism.

George is against the use of biological and chemical warfare -- it goes against his principles as a Rule Utilitarian. BCW is used to kill mass amounts of people, which cannot create an action that makes most people happy when many people end up dead. Being offered a position to research this warfare gives George the dilemma of choosing to either provide for his struggling family, or aid in the research of potentially dangerous weaponry. Despite his trepidations, the position only offers George to do research for the warfare, not to actually take part in utilizing it. Technically speaking, George would not be taking part in the use of biological and chemical warfare.

In addition, if George were to refuse the job, his family would remain poor, and the position would go to another individual who has much more ambition with the CBW. This other individual could advance the research dramatically, which would not be good for the masses of victims this warfare could be used on. So, in order to help his family and possibly save the masses of potential victims, George should choose to take the research job, based on the principles of Rule Utilitarianism.

Jim is faced with a life or death decision; he holds the lives of many in his hands. He can either let an entire tribe die, or kill one tribe member to allow the rest of the tribe to live. In this circumstance, some people would say that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. However, as a Rule Utilitarian, Jim will consider the ruling against murder. If he commits murder, he will be breaking one of the oldest rules in the book. Murder is recognized as a crime in nearly every civilization, and breaking this rule would go against the Rule Utilitarianism's principles. On the other hand, Rule Utilitarianism follows rules so strictly because most of the time rules should be followed. In the case of murder, most of the time people should not go against this rule and commit such an act. However, there are exceptions to breaking the rules.