Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? Episode 02: "PUTTING A PRICE TAG ON LIFE"

PART ONE: PUTTING A PRICE TAG ON LIFE

Today, companies and governments often use Jeremy Benthams utilitarian logic under the name of cost-benefit analysis. Sandel presents some contemporary cases in which cost-benefit analysis was used to put a dollar value on human life. The cases give rise to several objections to the utilitarian logic of seeking the greatest good for the greatest number. Should we always give more weight to the happiness of a majority, even if the majority is cruel or ignoble? Is it possible to sum up and compare all values using a common measure like money?

PART TWO: HOW TO MEASURE PLEASURE

Sandel introduces J.S. Mill, a utilitarian philosopher who attempts to defend utilitarianism against the objections raised by critics of the doctrine. Mill argues that seeking the greatest good for the greatest number is compatible with protecting individual rights, and that utilitarianism can make room for a distinction between higher and lower pleasures. Mills idea is that the higher pleasure is always the pleasure preferred by a well-informed majority. Sandel tests this theory by playing video clips from three very different forms of entertainment: Shakespeares Hamlet, the reality show Fear Factor, and The Simpsons. Students debate which experience provides the higher pleasure, and whether Mills defense of utilitarianism is successful.

• Category

  Education

[yunus emre uluocak]

Utilitarianism, practices a lack of empathy, I don't think human life should be regarded so mechanically. If we think in terms of Benthamite theory, is it alright for a nation to occupy, and cause suffering, to a smaller and weaker nation in order to provide for it's own population?

[fnhs90]

I agreed with you untill your racist comment.

[RoaringEngine]

The distinction between higher and lower pleasures implies judgement about quality. Such judgement, taken in the context of Mill's attempt to modify Bentham's utilitarianism, may serve well in drafting laws and policies to govern large bodies of people, such as societies. But can it be used to determining value of a person? Depends on situation and what's evaluated. An individual needs both higher and lower pleasures in right duration/proportions to stay healthy and to function productively.

[Frutoses]

Still, you're here watching this lecture instead of watching Fear Factor.

[unhealthycarrot]

Utilitarianism while respecting human rights, hmm...

[Michael Liu]

Garbage!!!!!

These people can't tell that miss use of cell phone is a decision they made and they have to take the consequences to their own decision? NONE of student and this damned corporation shill prof know that Govt is not there to babysit everyone? What a bunch of fools.

[Bandar Bush]

The majority of the students here are complete hypocrites, just going by their responses to the Simpsons and Shakespeare. They clearly cannot give an honest opinion as they seem pre conditioned to vote for Shakespeare as it is politically correct - The only honest guy was the young bloke that voted for Fear Factor. What really stands out here is that most of the Negroes simply have no comprehension of anything that is being discussed, they completely seem to have lost the plot.

[Bandar Bush]

Hell, I'd strangle the cat for free if I could wear a pair of gloves so it couldn't scratch me.

This entire philosophical mumbo is all down to individual morals, these people would do better to go and get a real education that can benefit society and themselves, instead of rambling on about crap from the 18th century - it has no relevance.

[Bandar Bush]

The Ford Pinto case on Cost Benefit Analysis - They should have asked the Ford Company to come up with a real value on a human life that they thought was acceptable, then they should have paid all of the ford executives this fee per person and killed everyone of their family.

[Durakken]

Criticisms to utilitarianism seems like just more limited thinking to me.

The answer to the question about minority is simply a matter of understanding that there are other consequences that are derived from actions. It is not ok to override the minority because there is always worry that one may be part of the minority and that worry alone is enough to justify giving weight to the minority.