utilitarianism

Discussion 1

1. What objections does Tom Regan give to the utilitarian approach to ethics?
2. What does he mean when he says that utilitarianism does not value us as individuals but only our feelings?
3. Is he right?
4. Do you agree with him that the ends do not justify the means (why or why not)?

Discussion 2

1. Utilitarianism is based on the notion of bringing about the greatest good, which requires some conception of what “the good” is such that this can be identified, measured, and calculated in a way that is consistent across time, place, and people.  Is there any such “good” that has these characteristics?
2. What does Mill identify as the good, and does it have these characteristics?
3. What about Singer?  What good does he seem to be referring to and does it have these characteristics?
4. What implications would there be if we can’t identify a good of the sort that the utilitarian seems to need?

Each discussion post should be at least 600 words.