Your parents say they will either give you the newest Louis Vuitton bag or a 60” Samsung television or they will make a $1000 donation to feed starving children in Haiti. On your way to pick out the gift you think back to a lecture you listened to in your philosophy class on utilitarianism. You say to yourself, “I’d love to get that bag or television but my spending on these unnecessary objects is directly denying potential food and happiness to tens if not hundreds of starving people.” ‘ Be sure to carefully explain how a Utilitarian would argue in this case. Be sure to support the utilitarian analysis with evidence from the text/readings (use a quote from the text). What philosophical objection could someone present to avoid the recommendation of the utilitarian in this case? Is this argument compelling? How would the utilitarian respond to this argument? In your essay address whether or not there is a legitimate philosophical argument that would show that it is morally permissible to buy the bag or television. Stick to the more theoretical/philosophical objections to utilitarianism in your response. Your job is to use this scenario to demonstrate that you understand Mill’s theory. The book has been included as well* (Also,the readings we covered so far are Chapter 1, p. 3-8., Chapter 3, p. 41-56, Chapter 2 pgs. 21-38, and Chapter 4 pgs. 67-163.)
