THE EDITOR, Sir:
AT THE University of Technology, Jamaica, I have the great privilege of teaching the students the principles and theories of ethics. Throughout the semester we examine the different theories, applying them to specific case studies. As I look at the actions of George W. Bush and HIS war with Iraq, I try to reflect on which ethical theory underlies this particular case.
Going through my checklist I find it easy to dismiss every theory, except one. Deontological ethics, with its universal absolutes such as "Do not kill" can't be the one. Utilitarianism, with its "greatest good for the greatest number," is not the one. Social Contract theory gets dismissed because it is based on rational beings agreeing to a social contract where each is required to live according to the rules.
This theory is the basis of the American Constitution so I thought it could be the theory for this case but Mr Bush's refusal to live according to the "social contract" of the United Nations disqualifies it. There is then Situation Ethics, but this theory is based on love so it must be eliminated. Proportionalism has the principle of "maximise the good, minimise the evil." Mr Bush must have understood it as saying "maximise the evil and minimise the good."
But, then there is virtue ethics where it is not the act itself but the character and virtue of the person that determines the moral rightness or wrongness of actions. This theory believes in the understanding that virtuous people will do virtuous acts. However, the world is coming to understand that there is nothing virtuous with what is going on in Mr Bush's War.
Through a process of elimination I finally arrive at "Ethical Egoism." Within this larger umbrella there is individual ethical egoism which states that "everyone ought to serve my best interest." It is not to serve everyone's own interest, but to serve my interests. Personally, I never thought such a theory could actually have a real character acting it out. Who would ever believe that someone could think that everyone around him or her should live and act for the interest of that one person? Now I have a real life "case study" to offer my students when we discuss individual ethical egoism.
Mr. Bush, I am saddened that all the loss of lives and destruction of the world will make you happy, but at least you have given me a real life case of something I never thought could exist in real life. Feel assured that you will be discussed as the one real case study of individual ethical egoism of which I know.
I am etc.,
MARTIN J. SCHADE
mjschade@infochan.com
