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-;- •\'" -· . -J::"-~ -:: _--• L fI • I - - . , • I II ! L • -- j • ' UTILITARIANISM ·ASAP UBLIC PHILOSOPHY ROBEER.GT O ODIN Utilitarianism, the great reforming philosophy of the nineteenth century, has today acquired a reputation for being a crassly calculating, impersonal philosophy unfit to serve as a guide for moral conduct. Yet what may disqualify utilitarianism as a personal philosophy makes it an eminently suitable guide for public officials in the pursuit of their professional responsibilities. Robert E. Goodin, a philosopher with many books on political theory, public policy, and applied ethics to his credit, defends utilitarianism against its critics and shows how it can be applied most effectively over a wide range of public policies. In discussions of such issues as paternalism, social welfare policy, international ethics, nuclear armaments, and international responses to the environmental crisis, he demonstrates what a flexible tool his brand of utilitarianism can be in confronting the dilemmas of public policy in the real world. Written in a lucid, nontechnical style, these essays will interest a large cross section of the academic community concerned with, and teaching courses on, public policy, whether they be in departments of philosophy, political science, law, or economics. Utilitarianism as a public philosophy Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Public Policy GENERAL EDITOR: Douglas MacLean The purpose of this series is to publish the most innovative and up-to-date research into the values and concepts that underlie major aspects of public policy. Hitherto most research in this field has been empirical. This series is primarily conceptual and normative; that is, it investigates the structure of arguments and the nature of values relevant to the formation, justification, and criticism of public policy. At the same time it is informed by empirical considerations, addressing specific issues, general policy concerns, and the methods of policy analysis and their applications. The books in the series are inherently interdisciplinary and include anthologies as well as monographs. They are of par- ticular interest to philosophers, political and social scientists, economists, policy analysts, and those involved in public ad- ministration and environmental policy. Other books in the series Mark Sagoff: The Economy of the Earth Henry Shue (ed.): Nuclear Deterrence and Moral Restraint Judith Lichtenberg (ed.): Democracy and the Mass Media William A. Galston: Liberal Purposes Elaine Draper: Risky Business R. G. Frey and Christopher W. Morris: Violence, Terrorism, and Justice Douglas Husak: Drugs and Rights Ferdinand Schoeman: Privacy and Social Freedom Dan Brock: Life and Death Paul B. Thompson: The Ethics of Trade and Aid Jeremy Waldron: Liberal Rights Steven P. Lee: Morality, Prudence, and Nuclear Weapons Bernard E. Rollin: The Frankenstein Syndrome Utilitarianism as a public philosophy ROBERT E. GOODIN RESEARCH SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Published by the Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 IRP 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA 10 Stamford Road, Oakleigh, Melbourne 3166, Australia © Cambridge University Press 1995 First published 1995 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Goodin, Robert E. Utilitarianism as a public philosophy / Robert E. Goodin. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-521-46263-0 (hard). - ISBN 0-521-46806-x (pbk.) 1. Utilitarianism. 2. Political science - Philosophy. I. Title. B843.G66 1995 i7i'.5 - dc20 94-3385 CIP A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 0-521-46263-0 hardback ISBN 0-521-46806-x paperback Transferred to digital printing 2003 For Brett and Ross Contents Preface page ix Acknowledgments xi PART i: INTRODUCTION: MORAL BASES OF STATE ACTION 1 Utilitarianism as a public philosophy 3 2 The state as a moral agent 28 PART II: MORALITY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE 3 Do motives matter? 47 4 Government house utilitarianism 60 PART III: SHAPING PRIVATE CONDUCT 5 Responsibilities 81 6 Distributing credit and blame 88 7 Apportioning responsibilities 100 PART IV: SHAPING PUBLIC POLICIES Respecting and overriding preferences 8 Liberalism and the best-judge principle 119 9 Laundering preferences 132 10 Heroic measures and false hopes 149 11 Theories of compensation 160 Vll