Is God a Utilitarian?
As a preface to the following utilitarian views let me say that these statements are strictly my opinion based on past study.
In a thread on a recent blog at Truth Restored I had a mini discussion with someone who claimed that God was no utilitarian. He made the statement that God was not concerned about numbers when it came to mankind’s happiness. According to Jeremy Bentham (who first set forth the moral theory of utilitarianism) utility is defined as the greatest good for the greatest number. The confusion of whether God is utilitarian or not comes into play with the definition of the word “good”. From John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism we read, “The utilitarian doctrine is that happiness is desirable, and the only thing desirable, as an end; all other things being only desirable as means to that end” (chapter 4). Previously in chapter 2 of the same work we read, “We not uncommonly hear the doctrine of utility inveighed against as a godless doctrine. If it be necessary to say anything at all against so mere an assumption, we may say that the question depends upon what idea we have formed of the moral character of the Deity. If it be a true belief that God desires, above all things, the happiness of his creatures, and that this was his purpose in their creation, utility is not only NOT a godless doctrine, but more profoundly religious than any other. If it be meant that utilitarianism does not recognize the revealed will of God as the supreme law of morals, I answer that a utilitarian who believes in the perfect goodness and wisdom of God necessarily believes that whatever God has thought fit to reveal on the subject of morals, must fulfill the requirements of utility in a supreme degree…”
Now, having quoted Mill, (and let me say here that I do not endorse all Mill has to say on the subject but find tidbits of truth here and there) I will use some of the arguments given me against God being utilitarian. “What about the biblical flood of Noah?” ask the detractors. “What of Sodom and Gomorrah?” “What of the Passover when the destroying angel killed all the first born of Egypt?” While each of these questions is valid one must also look past the immediate act and into the grand picture. If God had not wiped out all the wicked in the earth at the time of the flood, would future generations have found true happiness as they perpetuated their wickedness at the cost of other’s happiness? The same is true with Sodom and Gomorrah. As concerning the Passover, had not the Israelites become much more numerous than their captors who were holding them in bondage and enjoying the happiness of the few upon the blood, sweat, and tears of their more numerous slaves? God gives commandments unto men, not to unnecessarily restrict them but for their own happiness and the happiness of those around them. If we kill, steal, cheat on our spouse, and bear false witness we are indeed infringing on the happiness of the majority and this, in turn, necessitates punishment of the perpetrator for the happiness of the greatest number. Obeying the laws of God and the laws of the land, where they are just, brings happiness to the obeying individual as well. Solomon in his wisdom said, “…he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (KJV, Proverbs 29:18).
Mormonism in this respect could be said to be utilitarian, as well. A main tenet of the religion is that “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:25). God wishes joy upon all of His children but gives unto us our free agency to act according to our desires. Just as a man running a race always keeps his eye on the finish line we must not get caught up so much in the here and now but move along with the final goal always constant.
August 19th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
The greatest good for the most people.
If you take LDS doctrine as a guide you can indeed show that in Flooding the earth in the days of Noah, or in Commanding the Children of Israel to wipe out whoel cities God was being merciful, not cruel, and was indeed doing the best possible thing.
If there is a pre-existence before we are born and we made covenatns there and agreed to come to certtain places at certain times. And if there is a Spirit World after we die, between death and the resurrection. and if the gospel is taught in that Spirit world then:
If the earth had become so wicked that there was no chance for those who would be born into it to even receive the truth, much less live it, It was merciful for God to end the existence of all but righteous Noah and his family, and make a new start, and give children the chance to be born in a righteous environment, not one completely overwhelmed by evil and falsehood.
In addition, those who were on the earth with no chance to accept the gospel would have the gospel taught to them in the Spirit World prior to the resurrection and have the chance to accept what salvation they are willing to recieve.
In destroying whole cities God may have also destroyed diseases endemic to such civilizations, as well as saving the children that would be born to such a society.