功利主义的理论优势及其在当代的新发展

功利主义曾经被评论为狭隘庸俗的市侩哲学,这在相当程度上误解或忽视了它的理论长处:在复杂情境下,功利主义的判定标准直白易懂、简单便利;功利主义只对结果敏感,而不一味依赖形而上学命题,多少可以回避规范性理论所面临的难题;功利主义作为一种务实的理论,对结果的关注使其不受习俗和教条的束缚,表现出乐于社会改革和进步的倾向。当然,它在论述公民平等权利和考虑个人偏好的道德含义上的某些弱点,多年来受到义务论理论家的批评和挑战。但是,功利主义在论战中进一步阐述并发展了自己的学说,在当代实践伦理学领域表现出理论和实践上的优势,特别是近年来在堕胎、安乐死、环境保护等方面进行了大量新颖的论述,使其呈现出复兴之势。

Theoretical Advantage of Utilitarianism and its Current Development

Utilitarianism has theoretical advantage in its applicability, reasonableness and consequentialism, showing its willingness to social reform and progress. Of course, its shortcoming in arguing for equality of citizens and considering moral meaning of personal preferences has long been criticized by deontologists. But utilitarianists has expounded and developed its doctrine in controversies, especially has recently advanced many new arguments in practical ethics, such as abortion, euthanasia and environmental issues, which display its revival trend.