Utilitarianism is the aim of choosing ones actions\u00a0(be they of individuals or governments) such that the most happiness is achieved for the most people.\u00a0 However, empirical evidence is required to quantify the results of the various possible actions.\u00a0 Also, definitions are required for ‘happiness’ and scales are required to quantify the measures.\u00a0 This was the aim of 18th century philosopher Jeremy Bentham when considering such things as social policy for punishing criminals.<\/p>\n
I suppose what I want to achieve is to gather together empirical data for the cost and implications of different approaches to preventing international violent conflict as well as for conducting international violent conflict, such that the various options can be considered in a measurable way.\u00a0 Utilitarianism is a way of doing this by\u2014at the risk of oversimplification\u2014using the formula:<\/p>\n
happiness = pleasure - pain<\/pre>\nI am thinking more along the lines of:<\/p>\n
peace = positive outcome expected - negative implications<\/pre>\nwhere ‘violent conflict’ is quantified and included with the investment cost to form the ‘negative implications’.\u00a0 Those wanting to start a war must be claiming a positive outcome, so that can be quantified too.<\/p>\n
This should help eliminate, or at least help counter, “for our security” and “because they are a threat” and other such woolly thinking from the decision making, at least publicly.\u00a0 It is also more human than my original idea which was purely cost-based.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Utilitarianism is the aim of choosing ones actions\u00a0(be they of individuals or governments) such that the most happiness is achieved for the most people.\u00a0 However, empirical evidence is required to quantify the results of the various possible actions.\u00a0 Also, definitions … Continue reading