A Possibly Rational Morality

Utilitarianism is the school of morality in which the goal is to maximize happiness and minimize suffering in as many people as possible; in everything but name, it is one of the four precepts I cited as my greater moral values. It is different from hedonism in that it allows for temporary discomfort for the sake of long-term happiness. I propose that utilitarianism and utilitarianism alone is the only moral doctrine that can be derived entirely from reason. Respect for life, truth and enlightenment cannot be justified empirically. Each claims self-existent or divinely drafted status inconsistent with a materialist universe.

The basis for utilitarianism is in personal experience of suffering and happiness and the extrapolation that others experience them as well. Some say that experience is no basis for rationality, that quantifiable observation is the base unit of logic. I would argue, however, that it is reasonable to assume that the most basic of experiences can be generalized across living beings, that this has a basis in psychological and biological homology. Basic indeed to our existence is the dichotomy of happiness and suffering. While people may find different things enjoyable or miserable, some even enjoying physical pain or shunning chocolate, the dichotomy itself is consistent.

This is not an exaltation of utility above other virtues. My own moral perspective weights the four virtues of Ecstasy, Evolution, Truth and Life equally; here I simply admit that there is not a rational basis for it. I happen to believe in a purposeful metaverse and this belief comes from intuition rather than logic or observation. If such faith is compromised, however, or if my beliefs are otherwise altered, it is good to know that there is a moral philosophy that I can retreat to without nagging doubts as to its basis in reason.