The moral reasoning that falls under the philosophy of Utilitarianism states that a course of action is morally right if greater benefits result than there is harm for the entire population. The end product of greater benefit takes precedence over the morality of how the result was accomplished, as in “the end justifies the means”. Founder Jeremy Bentham’s motto was “The greatest good for the greatest number” (Pitts 65).
Deontology is a philosophy that believes that the method of achieving a result should be ethical in addition to the outcome. Unlike Utilitarianism, the morality of a beneficial result does not justify an unethical method of obtaining it.
The discussion concerning how a deontologist and a utilitarian differ in their perceptions of the morality of dropping the A-bomb on Hiroshima during World War II must take place with the supposition that both philosophies agree that ending the conflict would be beneficial to the most people regardless of the suffering imposed on the population of the targeted city. Therefore, the debate arises in the morality of the use of a bomb for the result of stopping further death and destruction is acceptable.
Warfare requires acceptance from a society that it will ultimately result is a greater good for most people (Buha 313). Deontologists validate the act of war for the ultimate goal of benefiting society and allow that each combatant entity operate under the same standards, using weapons and manpower that are essentially equal. However, their belief is that everyone should act the same way (Matthews 144). But Japan did not use a nuclear bomb on the United States. This puts the label of immorality on using it. Utilitarians, however, would have no problem with using a bomb when Japan did not, since it stopped continued warfare.
Works Cited
Buha, Mark J. "Rule Uilitarian and Deontologist Perspective on Comparison of Torture and
Killing ". Washington University Jurisprudence Review 2.2 (2010): 303-327. Web. 22
Matthews, Richard. The Absolute Violation: Why Torture Must Be Prohibited (Canadian
Electronic Library). McGill-Queen's University Press, 2008. Print.
Pitts, J., 2005, “Jeremy Bentham: Legislator to the World?” in B. Schultz and G. Varouxakis,
eds., Utilitarianism and Empire, Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, pp. 57–92.
