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The Repugnant Conclusion: An Assessment and Critique of Utilitarianism as Applied to Future Populations

Stauffer, Andrew Ryan Douglas
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1342623155

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Philosophy (Arts and Sciences).
The Repugnant Conclusion is a problem for utilitarianism put forward by Derek Parfit that addresses population size and future persons. For any population made up of happy individuals, there is a much larger population made up of barely happy individuals. On total utilitarianism, the latter population is better than the former population, so long as the latter has greater total utility. In this thesis I examine and critique three responses to Parfit's problem and argue that average utilitarianism solves the problem. First, I examine T¿¿¿¿nnsj¿¿¿¿'s solution to the problem, which is to accept it. Second, I investigate Wolf's negative utilitarianism. Third, I consider and defend on behalf of the utilitarian Neumann's average utilitarian response. Last, I give non-utilitarian arguments for rejecting average utilitarianism, focusing on reproductive rights.
Alyssa Bernstein, PhD (Advisor)
Mark LeBar, PhD (Committee Member)
Scott Carson, PhD (Committee Member)
63 p.
Ethics; Philosophy
Repugnant Conclusion; Average Utilitarianism; total utilitarianism; parfit; population ethics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Stauffer, A. R. D. (2012). The Repugnant Conclusion: An Assessment and Critique of Utilitarianism as Applied to Future Populations [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1342623155

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Stauffer, Andrew. The Repugnant Conclusion: An Assessment and Critique of Utilitarianism as Applied to Future Populations. 2012. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1342623155.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Stauffer, Andrew. "The Repugnant Conclusion: An Assessment and Critique of Utilitarianism as Applied to Future Populations." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1342623155

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1342623155
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.