Do Unto Others...

I've been thinking about the ethical theory of Utilitarianism. I vaguely touched on it for a project for school but was unable to flesh anything out. Following are some of my thoughts.
The founder of Utilitarianism is Jeremy Bentham. He lived in England in the mid to late 1700's. This was the period of the Enlightenment. His godson was a man named John Stuart Mill. Mill continued writing and defending Utilitarianism after the death of Bentham. Utilitarianism focuses on happiness. It had come under fire as a theory of 'swine', due to the focus on pleasure and satisfaction. Mill qualifies happiness as a level of pleasure above that which a beast could experience. He calls happiness utility and qualifies it, writing, "...we may refer it to the love of liberty and personal independence...but its most appropriate appellation is a sense of dignity." This seems to be an individually focused happiness, but, in fact Mills goes on to further qualify utility as that which is best for the larger whole. When it comes to conduct the standard for determining one's actions, "...is not the agent's own greatest happiness, but the greatest amount of happiness altogether..." In other words, the best and necessary action is the one that benefits the largest amount of people. I feel that Mill deconstructs his entire theory in the closing of his Utilitarianism: "As between his own happiness and that of others, utilitarianism requires him to be as strictly impartial as a disinterested and benevolent spectator. In the golden rule of Jesus of Nazareth, we read the complete spirit of the ethics of utility. To do as you would be done by, and to love your neighbour as yourself, constitute the ideal perfection of utilitarian morality." The problem is that in order to serve the greater good, oftentimes individual rights are sacrificed. For example, a person who commits an assault against another is imprisoned in order to protect society. The liberty of the offender is impinged in order to serve the greater whole. This is the theory of Utilitarianism in practice. If you are doing unto others as you would be done then you would not imprison anyone, lest you wish to be imprisoned. So, the utility of the whole is not served. It is in this way that the theory is deconstructed. Let me add one more illustration to my argument. I am relying on the writing of Bernard Williams in his, A Critique of Utilitarianism. Suppose there is a man who is traveling in the rain forest in a remote part of a South American country. He stumbles upon, quite by accident, a small tribal village where there is occurring a terrifying scene. A couple of soldiers belonging to the government of the country have twenty villagers lined up, all of them looking quite terrified. After explaining that he is merely a botanist who is off course and has mistakenly arrived there the man is advised by the soldier that he may participate in the killing of these villagers. He further informs the man that it is a honor to have a foreigner as a witness and participant in the killing of what he considers 'rebels.' In order to honor the occasion of his presence, he will allow nineteen of the twenty villagers go free if the man will shoot one. If the botanist refuses to kill one villager, however, the soldiers will kill all twenty. What is this poor lost botanist to do? Can he apply an ethical theory that can not even stand upon its own standards? It is easy to see that Utilitarianism is a non-theory because it can not be applied consistently. It is simply impossible to treat all others like you would want to be treated and serve the larger whole in all situations.

So, I've hit that part in the semester where I am just really tired. I'm enjoying school, mostly, but I am losing motivation to study. I have a test in pathophysiology Tuesday and I am avoiding it like the plague. I love clinicals weeks. I don't love the waking up at five part but other than that I think its great and am learning so much in the hospital. I need to just get started on the patho. Once I begin it is easy to finish; my problem is in ignition, the cruise works fine.

The children are doing well. My daughter is loving Art Memory! She is excited about the UIL competition. I am realizing how bright she actually is. Her memory is outstanding. She has seventy or so works of art on flashcards and she is charged with recalling the artist and the title of the piece. She had them all down over a week ago, roughly two weeks after receiving the cards. She needs no prompting at all. I am very impressed.

The baby is growing every day. I fear the winter clothes he has may not fit all winter. He is very busy. He is always trying to figure things out. He is learning through 'cause and effect', as I learned years ago in a child development course. He is a joy and I absolutely love the way his eyes light up when he smiles!

Here is an update and a small glimpse of my extremely busy life.

I'm finally getting used to the idea of becoming a nurse. School has been so hectic that I did not really have time to consider the end I am working towards. This week we had clinicals where we were actively involved in patient care. It was so stressful and so rewarding! This week has helped to solidify my intentions.

The kids are doing well. My daughter is trying out for various UIL events. Hopefully she will be chosen for at least one event. She is trying so hard.

The baby is going through a 'I want to do everything you tell me not to do' phase. Good times. Trying times, at times. He is growing, growing every day!

Further updates to follow, as time permits.

I went to a Christian bookstore today. I had some extra time to waste during lunch break and, after debating whether or not to go to the library to research respiratory drains, I headed for the bookstore, just to look. (I did make a purchase, two bibles; one for my daughter and one for my husband, and a copy of Lewis' "Mere Christianity.") Near the back of the shop there is a row of pamphlets or as they are more commonly known, tracks. I have a general negative opinion about these little pieces of literature. Today I found some that horrified me. On the front of the track was a picture of Saddam Hussein with the caption, 'Fighting a War Against Evil.' I flipped the pack over and the back of these tracks had a little check box next to an 'invitation to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior.' Now, I want to know how they went from killing someone you don't know because another man has labeled him as 'evil', (and devastating an entire country in the process), to accepting Jesus. Too bad they were enclosed in cellophane, rendering me helpless to do anything but guess. Perhaps there is a great call to repentance within the pamphlet, illustrating that war itself is the evil. I allowed myself to imagine this momentarily before glancing at the publisher and realizing that it is probably an application of the Just War Theory, rather. How unfortunate. I'm certain that these have been handed out in churches and in public places by well meaning but misled people.
'You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.'—Mathew 5.43-48
Perfection is loving all equally and unconditionally, like our Father. If we want to fight a war against evil, we should first be able to recognize it. It is the spirit that causes man to rise up against each other. It is the spirit that brings the greatest grief to our heavenly Father, making him watch as his children slaughter each other. Evil is only conquered by love. God help us to love as you love.

I cannot believe it has already been three weeks since I started school. Hopefully the rest of the semester goes this fast. My daughter starts school Monday and she is not looking forward to it. She does not want to leave her brother "alone" during the day. He is being cared for by his grandfather and will be just fine. She is worried about him and would spend every waking moment making sure he is all right if she could. It is unbelievable how over-protective of him she is and has always been.

We drove by to check the teacher list yesterday and my daughter has a "nice" teacher this year. She is happy about that. Last year was a little trying, at times. We finally finished school clothes/supplies shopping this afternoon. We, my husband and I, bought her three more shirts and some erasers at Target. The shirts are blue, which is the color she has chosen for nearly her entire wardrobe this year.

I spent an hour and a half today assembling a 'Little Tykes Cozy Coupe.' The baby is enjoying it. He is climbing in and out and wanting to be pushed around. Hopefully we can spend some time outside this last weekend of my daughter's summer.

Well, I start school in ten days! I am feeling nervous, excited and a little stressed out. Time is my main concern. This is my first time being a student and the mother of two children. The baby, although he is a year and a half, is still very much a "momma's baby." He freaks out when he is not the center of my attention! Just now I had to take a break from typing this to feed him and I really don't think he was hungry. My summer and my extended break from school is winding down quickly. I have really enjoyed my time at home just being mommy.

This summer we took a small trip to my parent's. We spent some time there with the family. While we were there my brother, sister and I had our portrait taken for my mom. She does not have a portrait of all three of us together. This was my sister's idea and I think its wonderful. We also went boating with my dad. Dad pulled my daughter and my husband in the inter-tube and we all swam in the lake. It was nice. The baby really enjoyed the water. He was so amazed at the vastness of the lake. We went to the Zoo in Tyler, as well. It was nice. It was very well shaded and we were able to see all of the animals. I was amazed at how the entire zoo was uphill! It was a nice little vacation and a nice end to my break.

Believe it or not I let my children play in muddy water this last weekend. I was cleaning out the car and the kids were playing with the water hose. There is a place in the sidewalk that gathers water where the baby discovered he could splash with his hands and his shoes. They had so much fun! I am impressed with myself for allowing them to enjoy themselves. Small steps make big progress...