Michael Sandel's Justice Summary Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?

Michael Sandel's Justice Summary Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Michael Sandel's Justice Summary Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Principle of utility Whatever produces pleasure or happiness and whatever prevents pain or suffering. Cost-benefit analysis A calculation system used by utilitarians that translates all costs and benefits into monetary terms in order to compare. Ex: measuring the effects of smoking on the Czech national budget - gov't gains more money than it loses from smoking due to early deaths of smokers - saves on health care expenses, pensions, elderly housing, etc. paternalism Libertarians object laws of paternalism that protect people from harming themselves Ex: seatbelt laws - violate an individual's right to decide what risks to assume, as long as nobody else is harmed - state has no right to dictate what risks to assume with their bodies and lives Bentham (Jeremy) founder of the doctrine of utilitarianism, maximize happiness/utility