Introduction
Utilitarianism is a theory of morality that defends actions that contribute to well-being or pleasure and counteracts activities that provoke misfortune or harm. At the same time, utilitarian philosophy attempts to explain how social, political, and personal decisions affect the nation’s quality of life and the individual. Thus, it is significant to establish whether the absence of human desire to influence one’s own life equates it with animal morality.
Factual Component
Utilitarians believe that some people are morally equal to animals because they have lost the value of any free action and agree to live by the laws of society. Hence, concerning a quiet and satisfying life, they can sacrifice dreams and principles as animals (File, 2022). That is such a person’s consent to having lied about the true state of affairs, which will enable them to live in an illusionary world. Utilitarians assume that such people neglect their own autonomy to benefit from the delusion of a tranquil life (File, 2022). Although in reality, such individuals will gain nothing except missed opportunities and a lack of choice in their own lives.
They argue that people who decide not to consider their own values and desires receive not a better life but a lifestyle without understanding the situation around them. Instead, they will live by the rules that have been imposed on them from the outside; this perception of the world resembles not human freedom but animal instinct (File, 2022). At the same time, utilitarians provide the example of Robert Nozick. He indicated that if a person believes that he is living a happy existence only because he does not know the truth, his life will be primitive and incomplete (File, 2022). This can be compared to the life of animals, which obtain certain benefits but are totally dependent on humans.
Meanwhile, utilitarians hold a parallel between dying patients who refuse painkillers and those who abandon conscious choice. They argue that patients have the courage to assess their condition clearly and want to make their own decisions (File, 2022). Therefore, in order to be independent and intentional, autonomy is an essential part of life, which can only be accomplished by enthusiastic participation in one’s own and community life. That is, those who renounce their own autonomy are morally equal to animals.
Argumentative Component
One can concede that the utilitarian assertion is correct through a number of factors. Considering that autonomy in decision-making and the conscience of citizens contribute to a fair assessment of the situation, the absence of such factors means that one has no moral and physical will. That is, when the not always justifiable laws of society become superior to one’s own desires and beliefs, then the identity of each individual is destroyed. It is also essential to mention that persons who receive certain benefits cannot be sure that, due to their own decisions, they would not have it (File, 2022). Therefore, the absence of their own will does not enable them to attempt to organize their lives in any other way, which creates a complete dependence on the ruling elite’s power. As a consequence, such humans become morally equal to animals because they have forfeited the capability of controlling their own lives.
Conclusion
Hence, the absence of freedom of choice, voice, and opinion for some individuals equate them morally with animals. This is because they are dependent in the same way as animals on those who have more power and influence. At the same time, such people are no longer capable of organizing their own lives because they have lost all authority and have agreed to an illusion that is not supported by real circumstances. That is, to be a successful person, it is essential to have autonomy of decision-making, planning, and their own values. If such factors are absent, humans morally become equal to animals.
Reference
File. (2022). Chapter 1 & chapter 2.