Philosophy: Applying Utilitarianism and Deontological Theories

Rachael Riggs

Henley-Putnam

National American University

PHIL400 Benjamin Truitt

January 11, 2020

Abstract

This paper evaluates the stated scenario attempting to distinguish the morality of the actions by using the theories of deontology and utilitarianism. Looking at the critical issues involved and applying them to both theories will expectantly help lead to a satisfactory conclusion on whether the scenario is morally right or wrong. The importance of distinguishing the differences between what is morally acceptable and what is not can be a difficult task in intelligence work. Having an understanding of the different philosophical, moral theories can provide a framework (Univ. of Texas, 2020) as well as provide practical reasoning in ways we might not have understood before. (Richardson, 2018)

“An interrogation supervisor has been charged with unethical behavior. The supervisor authorized the use of Enhanced Interrogation Technique (EIT) on three former child soldiers ages 11, 13, and 17. The supervisor justified the use of lighter EIT in the first case, and waterboarding in the second cases as necessary to get actionable intelligence on their field commander who is suspected to be orchestrating a terror attack in the U.S. The 13 and 17-year old were broken by the waterboarding and did cooperate with interrogators to help find the field commander.

The supervisor claims the actions were necessary for the greater good in all three cases as some of the information gained helped lead to the capture of the field commander. However, it is not clear that the information gained from the interrogations was key in the capture of the commander.”

Was the supervisor’s behavior immoral?

Philosophy: Applying Utilitarianism and Deontological Theories

Analyzing the scenario from the viewpoint of utilitarianism will provide a vastly different perspective from that of a deontological angle. One must weigh multiple considerations when attempting to decipher whether actions are moral or immoral.

Regarding the scenario in question, one of the first issues at hand begins with the overall act of EIT (enhanced interrogation techniques). The next moral dilemma is concerning the ages of the three former children soldiers that endured the interrogation. As we move forward, we run into the specifics of the interrogation stating that the use of waterboarding ensued.

We can understand that the interrogation supervisor had authorized the actions with the intent to obtain information regarding the capture of the former soldier’s field commander. The field commander in question had suspicions upon him of organizing terrorist attacks against the United States. Authorization of the supervisor appears straightforward in terms of what is wrong and what is right; however, we have to consider the details of the issue to understand it better.

Although successfully captured, it is uncertain whether the information obtained by the interrogation was what led to said field commander’s capture. Also, there appear to be only suspicions of the field commander's involvement in terrorist activity. Clear evidence does not seem to exist that shows that this man posed a significant threat.

To help define the moralistic properties of the entire scenario, we will attempt to view it through a utilitarianism angle as well as that of deontology. After an in-depth study from these points of view, we will then conclude with the moral standards of this individual case.

Utilitarianism

The idea behind utilitarianism affirms that an action is morally acceptable if the results of which provide happiness to the highest number of people of a society or a group. (Mudrack, 2019) The essay by John Stuart Mill titled "Utilitarianism" states that "happiness is desirable, and the only thing desirable, as an end; all other things being desirable only as a means to that end.” (Mill, 1861) Simply, every action taken should result in the greatest happiness of the largest group of people. (May D. T., 2018)

With this in mind, one can determine that because the interrogation involved only three soldiers and may have prevented a tragedy to thousands, then the supervisor's decision to authorize enhanced interrogation fits the utilitarianism criteria. By this theory, the action becomes morally justified. The supervisor justifies his actions by proclaiming that "they were for the greater good." The supervisor's thinking was in the form of a utilitarianist. He believes that by authorizing this treatment, whether the individual act is moral or not is irrelevant, as a result, has the potential to provide benefit for the largest group of people.

With this theory, we appear to answer the moral questions involved in ethical decisions, but as we will see, we have not. The fault and as critics have argued: "it does not provide adequate protection for individual rights, everything can not be measured by the same standard, and that happiness is more complex than reflected by the theory.” (Spark Notes, n.d.)

In this scenario, we can see that the individual rights of the three men have not received protection. One could also ask if these actions do indeed provide overall happiness for the largest group of people. As an American, we would, of course, choose to initiate the action that provided the most significant benefit and overall happiness to America. As a broader thought process and without bias as we associate these ideas, does the action provide happiness to the largest group of people, or is it based on our own group of people?

Deontological Ethics

Deontological ethics provide a “nonconsequential” view. (All About Philosophy, 2002-2020) This idea suggests that actions are not morally right or wrong based on the outcome, but based on the action. As utilitarianism concerns itself with the outcome of any action being that which is essential in deciphering ethical behavior, deontology maintains the opposite is exact.

German Philosopher Immanuel Kant published “Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals” in 1795. He argues that morality exists with "goodwill," and goodwill depends on the motive and must be motivated by a pure desire to do the right thing. (Olson, 2010) Actions are considered to be morally right based on a characteristic of the action itself. One can answer any question with pure practical reasoning. With each action, one must think, "would I want to live in a world where people always took this action” and the answer you come up with will answer if the action is moral or not and which action one should take. (May D. T., 2019)

This theory fails to see what the world would be like because of taking this action. It looks at what the world would be like if every person took this action. Based on these ideas, the scenario is unethical. If every person were enacting enhanced interrogation techniques on every other person, the world would be unlivable. If every person were waterboarding each other, this would not be an ok world to reside. Even though the result may have saved an entire nation, according to Kant’s theories, the individual actions are immoral, we would not want to live in a world where every person participated in these actions, and so the actions should not occur. (May D. T., 2019)

Conclusion

Deciding what is moralistic behavior and what is not becomes a burdensome task, especially when involving security, privacy, terrorism, and intelligence work. Multiple theories can apply to this scenario as well as others, and one can never be confident that they have come up with the right answer or have morally made the right decision. After breaking down the scenario in question, it leans toward being morally justified but has two faults that gnaw at the finality of the decision to say so. One is that the soldiers are children, the other being that it is not clear if the information obtained aided in any way in the capture.

Working through the final two issues, one could declare that even though they were children, they were soldiers. They have not been treated like children by their own country and have psychologically been exposed to things that children, as we see them, have not.

Regarding the issue of whether the information obtained had been beneficial in the field commander's capture, we can never be certain any action taken will result in our expectations. Occasionally actions will provide undesirable results, but that is impossible to know prior to any engagement. Ultimately this thought should then be eradicated.

Was the supervisor's behavior immoral? One can conclude that if the United States were in imminent danger. If the capture of this man prevented a terrorist attack on our country, then the supervisor’s behavior can be justified as being morally acceptable. One could say that the action as a whole was necessary. Individually the actions are immoral, but the benefits of action should outweigh any negatives.

References

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Richardson, H. S. (2018, Fall). Moral Reasoning. (E. N. Zalta, Ed.) Retrieved from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/reasoning-moral/

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