Jessica asked:

Does utilitarianism offend our views about justice? does that matter?

Does universal prescriptivism necessarily lead to utilitarianism?

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I'll answer only your first two questions. Here's an example to get you thinking. Say that a horrendous
murder takes place in a town which consists of two communities — a privileged majority and an
underprivileged minority. The murder victim is from the majority, and a rumor sweeps the town that it
was committed by someone from the minority. Large crowds are threatening to attack the minority
group and string up anyone they can get their hands on. The police rapidly arrest a member of the
minority, but just as soon find that he is innocent. The police chief is now faced with a dilemma. If he
should free the suspect, the vigilantes will slaughter many other innocent people. If he executes the
suspect, the vigilante anger will subside. What should he do?

What would a utilitarian recommend? The greatest happiness for the greatest number would seem to
entail an execution. What does justice seem to require? I think that it requires the release of the
suspect.

Does it matter? I think we can react to this situation in two ways. We can accept that utilitarianism
theory has shown us that morality is not compatible with such an idea of justice, which must therefore
be wrong. Or we can say that any theory which recommends such an injustice must be mistaken.
Which do you think?

Tim Sprod