Costs and benefits counted in the video in the Ford Pinto Case demonstrate confusing results that peoples’ lives cost less than car repairment. Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarian theory explained by the professor engages students in moral and economic choices (Harvard University, 2009). However, I disagree with such a comparison as utility and profit are two different aspects that have to be separated. Ford company was not giving individuals success and happiness, it focused primarily on self-benefit to increase income and reduce spending. The main issue of the modern market is the focus on profit, not utility. That was one of the reasons for the 2008 financial crisis: no one cared about people and consequences, every firm wanted profit and right now.
I applied a similar analysis in my life when I took a chance to see my friend the evening before an important day at work. I knew that I risk my energy level the day after; still, my friend lives in another country and we have not seen each other for 7 years: these facts were convincing enough to take a risk. I chose entertainment above responsibility and the next day overslept my shift. As a result, it cost me a fine plus extra hours at work. I never regretted it, but the costs were memorisable enough.
One of the major downsides of the utilitarian theory is providing satisfaction and general good for the significant part of people having similar needs. The problem is, the minority also has views and needs, and taking away utility from them would be unfair to the population. I suppose people should aim for happiness but also try to balance between different opinions as every person is important. It is unethical to let people die because it is more profitable than fixing a car. Every human life should be priceless, valued, and taken care of. In a society aiming only for self-benefit, we cannot manage to survive. What we should do is cooperate and care about each other to create trustworthy and firm relationships for a better future.
Reference
Harvard University. (2009). Justice: What’s the right thing to do? Episode 2: Putting a price tag on life. [Video].