Despite my defense of missionary outreach organizations as Utilitarian, I remain unconvinced about the actual value of the theory itself however. It seems to me unnecessarily unsure to judge the moral correctness of one's actions by the eventual end result. In a world of clear causes and effects, with predictable inhabitants, and mechanically perfect domino-like chains of events, this could perhaps be a valuable gauge. However, our world is not so neat, and therefore the value as a gauge of action of Utilitarian theory wanes. In addition, I also remain unconvinced that the true highest purpose of human existence is either personal or corporate happiness. Too many great works of human hands and minds have either been built in response to or through the misery of people. Everything from the Great pyramids, which are mortared with the tears, sweat, and blood of slave laborers to the Shakespearean classics, inspired by and written about some of the most difficult and unhappy times in life of their characters. If one were to succeed in creating the Utilitarian utopia of perfect eternal unmarred happiness for all, I believe that a significant portion of human creative spirit would be lost as well.

What do you think about Utilitarianism?