Util

<< < Comic #7290 (September 28, 2024) > >>

Util

Title text: Unfortunately the driver drowns so it's a moral stalemate.

Votey

Explanation

Utilitarianism is a form of ethics which states that all actions should provide maximum utility (or pleasure) to everyone. However, quantifying utility in practice is almost impossible and often leads to counterintuitive and repulsive gut feelings.

Transcript

[Panel 1. A man in a suit is surprised to see a child neck-deep in a lake.]

Caption: "A utilitarian sees a child drowning, but knows saving the child would ruin his suit."

Man: "Saving a life is more important than my clothing!"

[Panel 2. The child has turned to face the man.]

Caption: "However, the child is also a utilitarian."

Child: "No! That coat is worth several hundred dollars! Due to inequality in GDP per capita, selling the coat could save the lives of the poorest children in other countries!"

[Panel 3. The man and the child stop to think, seemingly neither in any hurry.]

Caption: "The two briefly consider whether constructed moral dilemmas capture the value of local social bonds, market structures, and the limited science of developmental economics."

[Panel 4. A red trolley whizzes past, splattering the man's and the child's blood. The driver looks from a window.]

Caption. "Fortunately both are run over by a trolley before any conclusion is reached."

Driver: "It's okay! I saved three people!"

Votey Transcript

[The trolley driver speaks and honks the trolley's horn.]

Driver: "Plus we can donate their organs!"

Sound effect: "BEEP! BEEP!"

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