Question

. Write an essay on the following case. Be sure to first set out what you believe the utilitarian position to be. Second, evaluate whether or not you agree with this solution based upon personal and worldview or community worldview tenets. Make your reasons very explicit.

THE CASE:

You are living in the United States of America. The president has declared a national emergency. The president has declared that terrorism threatens our very way of life due to the 9.11.01 events. The only way to really track terrorists in our country is to declare that the Bill of Rights privileges will now be granted only at the discretion of the president. Each and every right may be temporarily suspended at his discretion until the danger to our country has been abated. Is this president justified in making this executive order? Base your response only upon utilitarian reasoning (quantify where possible).

Answer 1

Utilitarian ethics suggests that an action will be considered as ethical if it increases utility or benefit to many and reduce or cause no harm to anyone. If the president announces that the rights are temporarily suspended due to national security, it’s for the greater benefit of the country and not for his selfishness. An attack has already been launched and the whole country is in panic. So, the executive order issues by the president will bring more benefit to all the people and reduce harm. People can sacrifice their rights for a while until things settle down.