What is utilitarianism ethics? Apply it to a real ethical dilemma
Utilitarianism ethics is an ethical approach that is measured in terms of outcomes. The outcome can be good or bad. It is also known as consequentialism, which is the most important element of Utilitarianism. The underlying principle of Utilitarianism is maximum good for maximum people. Therefore, the main idea of this theory is that we ought to improve the well-being of all as much as we can. Furthermore, utilitarianism ethics have four elements which are consequentialism, welfarism, impartiality, and aggregationism. Consequentialism holds the view that a good outcome is the desired goal of any action. It simply states the idea of making the world a better place. The next element is welfarism. It states that any action performed must bring the welfare of individuals. Therefore, good consequences are those which bring well-being. The third element of Utilitarianism is impartiality. It states that the general good is equally desirable for all individuals without any discrimination of location, race, or gender. According to utilitarian philosopher Henry Sidgwick: “the good of anyone person is no more important from the point of view (…) of the universe than the good of any other”. The last element of modern-day Utilitarianism is aggregationism. While considering the well-being of individuals by a certain act, the act that benefits more individuals is considered to be the best. These are the crucial elements in defining utilitarianism ethics. So, utilitarianism ethics prescribe those values and actions that bring maximum happiness and well-being for all affected people.
Historically, the ultimate happiness as a desired goal of humans was brought forward by many early scholars. Ancient Greek philosophers Aristippus and Epicurus gave the idea of hedonism (pleasure plays a central role in human actions). In the same way, Aristotle, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas also believed in happiness as an end to the human struggle. An ancient Indian philosopher of the 8th century, Santi deva, is considered to be the earliest propagator of this theory. Among the classical utilitarians, Jeremy Betham and John Stuart Mill supported the utilitarian end in humans. With the work of Henry Sidgwick, Utilitarianism reached its zenith when he incorporated Utilitarianism with common-sense morality. In the modern world, the idea of Utilitarianism has been explored in depth.
Real Ethical Dilemma: Child Labor Ethics through the prism of Utilitarianism
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children [emphasis added.” – Nelson Mandela
Although Child Labor is condemned across the globe, there are children in millions who are employed and are exposed to harmful working conditions. The ethical dilemma of child labor in the context of Utilitarianism is discussed below. The kind of labor that this essay considers is potentially harmful labor that deprives children of their childhood, harmful to their dignity and potential physical and mental health and endangers their proper education. This phenomenon is mainly common in the Third World, under developing countries based on the agrarian economy. Major factors are prevalent socio-economic conditions and cultural disparities that are responsible for these divergent practices worldwide. Resultantly, in the absence of sustainable means and other alternatives, Child Labor practices are common in many regions of the world.
The International Labor Organization has given basic reasons for the prevalence of harmful Child Labor practices. The major factors that enable Child Labor practices are poverty and the absence of social welfare systems, lack of legal protection due to weak institutional frame, limited education access, and absence of decent work opportunities. The dilemma of Child Labor is viewed through the prism of utilitarianism ethics. Classical Utilitarianism breeds the hedonistic concept, which holds there are feelings of joy and pleasure. If the output is more joyful than the pain endured, then the action is ethically justifiable. Moreover, consequentialism is considered to be a significant element of Utilitarianism. According to which moral righteousness depends on the outcome of an action. If the result is profitable and brings good, the action is legitimate. Also, utilitarianism ethics contains another element, namely impartiality which states that all stakeholders are equally important. Finally, aggregationism holds that if more people are getting benefits from a certain act, the action is more suitable. Therefore, in the context of utilitarianism ethics and its elements, the actions of Child Labor may be perceived as beneficiary.
The utilitarian ethical dilemma of Child Labor, whether it is profitable or losable, can be understood by analyzing the output of different stakeholders involved in it. Work can contribute to children’s development and parents’ satisfaction that their children are earning money and contributing to society’s welfare. Also, it can be the only way left for the child and his family. However, children may suffer from violence and extreme conditions and from the deprivation of proper education. Compromising systemized education may lead to more loss in long-term opportunities and, therefore, loss in income. According to UNICEF, a deficit of education may cause an 11% loss in income for a year of the missed school year.
The other shareholder in Child Labor is the investor or company’s owner. They experience higher income as Child Labor work on relatively fewer wages. This, in turn, reduces the commodity’s production cost. Therefore, they extract relatively larger profits through this workforce. Customers, on the other hand, are also profitable as they buy the commodity at a relatively lower price. Moreover, they are able to enjoy authority over children as children pay respect to their adult authority and are less likely to resist or protest. However, a company may suffer loss in the long run due to its faded reputation. On the national level, the adults of the state may face a shortage of employment. Lastly, the actions of the managers are restricted to pursue and exploit this labor force by laws and regulations.
When viewed from a deontological perspective, Child Labor is ethically and morally wrong as it deprives the child of its basic rights. However, Utilitarianism may support when viewed through the context of relative stakeholders like family, customers, or managers that benefit from Child Labor. Therefore, Utilitarianism Ethics can be in favor of managers.
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