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How do personal biases and subjective opinions complicate the application of utilitarianism in decision making?

Leda Gaines

Personal biases and subjective opinions have a significant impact on our decision-making processes, especially when attempting to apply utilitarianism in our approach. Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that aims to achieve the greater good for the greatest number of people. It requires us to make decisions based on the outcome that will result in the most happiness or pleasure for the most significant number of individuals.

However, personal biases and subjective opinions that influence our decision-making processes can complicate the application of utilitarianism. Personal biases are beliefs that are not necessarily based on fact or evidence, but rather on one's own experiences and opinions. On the other hand, subjective opinions are judgments that are influenced by personal bias, emotions, and moral values.

When it comes to utilitarianism, personal biases and subjective opinions can make it difficult to make objective and rational decisions. For instance, personal biases may cause us to favor one group of people over another, which is contrary to the fundamental principle of utilitarianism, which aims to benefit the most significant number of individuals. Subjective opinions, on the other hand, often drive individuals to make decisions based on their personal convictions, which may cause them to overlook the welfare of others. Therefore, these two factors can have a significant impact on utilitarian decision-making.

In addition, personal biases can lead to a failure to consider the long-term consequences of actions. For example, a person might make decisions that cause short-term happiness to a few while ultimately resulting in long-term negative impacts on society as a whole. In such a scenario, the utilitarian principle of creating the greatest good for the greatest number is compromised.

Furthermore, subjective opinions can also lead to inconsistency in the application of utilitarianism. For instance, someone might make a decision based on utilitarian principles in one situation but ignore those same principles in another, based on their personal beliefs or biases.

To overcome these challenges, we must be mindful of our personal biases and subjective opinions and strive to make decisions based on objective evidence, facts, and reasoning. We must also be open to considering the perspectives of others and ensuring that decision-making is fair and just.

In conclusion, personal biases and subjective opinions can complicate the application of utilitarianism by making it difficult to make objective and rational decisions. To overcome this challenge, we must aim to be aware of our biases and strive to make decisions based on objective evidence and reasoning. By doing so, we can ensure that utilitarianism is applied consistently and fairly, resulting in greater good for the greatest number of individuals.