Good thing Quote by William Donaldson
““Utilitarianism: If we Britiash were Utilitarians we would have to believe that imprisoning the innocent and torturing suspects was justified if the Home Secretary thought it a good thing for our peace of mind.””
About This Quote
Source Satire: Article “The Utilitarian Dilemma”, 2005
He mocks the absurdity of applying utilitarian logic to justify immoral acts for perceived peace.
In simple terms: Utilitarianism can be twisted to excuse cruelty for peace.
Question moral justifications that ignore rights.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- debating policy ethics
- examining law enforcement practices
- teaching moral reasoning
- critiquing political rhetoric
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is peace ever worth sacrificing innocence?
- How do we balance security and rights?
Oversimplifies complex moral decisions; may ignore real threats.