Philosophy of Utilitarianism - Essay Example

Philosophy of Utilitarianism ` The story of John Cooper is one of the tragic interpretation of the philosophicthinking. His acceptance to donate part of his liver to a stranger lacks both reasoning. One thing that is clear is that this not in accordance with the principle of utilitarianism because of four reasons. One, those who philosophy demands that the action taken should produce maximum happiness. It defines happiness as the result of the action taken deliberately. However, in this case, the man is causing a lot of pain and worries to his family.

The wife is worried and children are sad because they don’t know if he will die in the table. Secondly, utilitarianism requires that the good outcome should be more than the bad. We don’t know whether his liver will surely be useful to the recipient, clearly whoever receives it can still die because of the complication of the surgery. In such situation, there is loss of two lives and it will not be utilitarianism. Last thing is that the family is likely to suffer more if they lose such a healthy father over a risky surgery as opposed to a stranger who may get the liver and go unnoticed.

While elements of good will may be possible in Cooper’s action, this would be seen as unfair and burden to the family. The ability to offer substantial explanation to explain why someone would risk his life over a stranger is not logic. Lastly, a gift of health and life are among the basic needs that every human requires. Risking ones’ life never produce good feeling. The fear in his family says it all, it will not be considered utilitarianism because family suffering is much greater even if he comes out of theater alive.

There are many ways to do good without risking life. He cannot donate every part of his body because of doing good.