Utilitarianism (Friday, Jan 23rd, 2015)

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is possibly the most rational moral doctrine that we discussed in class. It is simple and concise, stating that a moral action is an action that will help the most people, regardless of personal sacrifice. Many of our most popular action hero’s work in a Utilitarian way, often giving up their lives for the good of mankind; even if they get resurrected for the sequel, moviemaker’s choices to use utilitarian characters show that it is a widely accepted moral doctrine that appeals to the general public. My story of when I used utilitarian logic to make a choice for the good of the people, started where all good stories start: at a party.   

Young bodies bounced around the tightly packed house as music blared and neighbours cried. That night I had decided I would not be drinking as I worked at the crack of dawn and the entire event my whole body ached with temptation to let loose and booze. My group of friends had planned on sleeping over at the newly wrecked residence while I would drive home, but that plan was quickly shattered as, just when the stereo gave its most ferocious cry, a heavily drunken teenage boy screamed above our heads “COPS!” The music was gone in a flash and sound eroded into silence. We were highly trained in the art of avoiding confrontation with the police, and we hoped that if every being stood exactly still in place, we might just escape unscathed. Unfortunately for one young drunken individual, standing exactly still proved harder than one might expect. As she tumbled to the ground with a crash and high pitched scream, it was clear our cover was fractured. A loud knock on the door announced the arrival of the party crashers, and as the door swung open a scowling police officer stood arms crossed, blocking our escape path.

Our Heads bowed we exited the house, some of us leaving empty bottles inside, others brave enough to make off with half full flasks tucked under puffy jackets. As we poured onto the street we were illuminated red and blue by the cop car stationed just outside the house. Phones were brought out and I could hear the calls of lost teenagers echo throughout the night as they pleaded with angry parents to pick them up. I turned to my friends and noticed that none of them had brought out their own cell phones. I started to inch away but all at once their eyes shot towards me, then to my car, and back to me. I looked back at them grim faced and thought about how even if I had fell asleep at that very spot in the road, I would still only get six sleep hours in before work time. I contemplated my options. At that moment all I wanted was to be home in bed, and leaving my friends to fend for themselves against the wrath of their own parents would no doubt have gotten me to my own destination faster. On the other hand taking my friends in the car would mean saving them, but putting my neck on the line as overloading was criminal, and overloading with drunken teenagers was double criminal. I sighed and looked into their drunken attempt at puppy dog eyes, bloodshot, quivering, and uneven. My head bowed and I said “Get in”.

Tightly packed into my car we slowly made our way to the end of the street to find we met with a dead end. I turned around and realized with dread that we would have to pass directly beside the flashing cop car to escape. I inched my car forwards and told my friends to “Hit the deck.” They squished down, hands palming dirty floor and food wrappers as sweat dripped from my brow. Parallel to the police car I could feel the pressure rise and I peered over into the looming eyes of a second cop. She smiled at me and gave me a wink, and I passed without confrontation. My friends cheered and whooped for me as we made our way from home to home. That night I sacrificed my sleep for the good of my friends, and in the morning I can’t say I was too happy about it.

Will Pankhurst