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trashcanpandas t1_iufa2c2 wrote

Reply to comment by contractualist in Freedom vs. Utility (the modern Euthyphro dilemma) by contractualist

>Simply, freedom is the power to reflect on our desires and change them based on abstract principles—including morals.

With this, the framing of this argument Freedom vs Utility is very difficult to wrap my head around or make sense. Utility focuses on material conditions and the improvement of such for reasons pertaining to quality of life and survival, whereas the freedom in this context does not contradict or contest that. If anything, it seems to be in support of utility over freedom, since people are moved towards values and principles because of their material conditions. With this in mind, ultimately, utility is what drives many in the pursuit of their "freedom".

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contractualist OP t1_iufcl28 wrote

Yes people freely move towards utility. This is why I argue freedom grounds the value of utility, since free people would pursue utility. I also wouldn't say people are pursuing freedom. They already have it, and are exercising it when they choose to improve their conditions.

You can think of the question as being "should people be free to increase their utility or should people be forced to increase their utility?" The former grounds ethics on freedom whereas the latter grounds it on welfare.

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