Marina Penkova

Dr. Lynnette Leonard

Media Law and Ethics
11.05.2016
Ethical Standpoint Final Paper & Group Discussion
Happiness Equals Utilitarianism
When John Lennon was young he famously wrote down in a school assignment that
all he wanted in life was to be happy. Unsurprisingly, happiness, perceived in one way or
another, is the ultimate goal of every human being. Happiness is also the main characteristic
of utilitarianism. The theory was introduced by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill and
defines a situation as ethical or unethical, depending on the goodness or badness of its
outcome respectively. Utilitarianism is a philosophy that aims at the greatest good for the
greatest number. The theory suggests that everybodys happiness has the same value but
personal happiness should not be more important than everybodys. Even though
utilitarianism has proved to be one of the most powerful philosophical theories, people often
take too much advantage of it or apply it mechanistically. This is the reason why utilitarianism
sometimes serves as an ethical justification of actions in politics and investigative journalism
(Patterson & Wilkins, 2014).
The philosophical theory of utilitarianism used in investigative reporting intends to
provide good to society. However, giving a universal definition to goodness is subjective and
faces controversies (Patterson & Wilkins, 2014). Such was the case with Lilian Lepre, a
survivor of the Charlie Hebdo shootings last year, who was hiding inside a print shop at the
time. Lepre accused the French media of endangering his life for revealing his presence

(Chrisafis, 2015). The media apparently did this to report the exact current situation to their
audience. At first sight, their decision seemed justified because they favored the good of
society over one persons. Despite that, according to Mill, the absence of pain was the only
intrinsic moral end (Patterson & Wilkins, 2014). Saving Lepres life was more important
than having a well-informed audience in the case which is why the outcome needs to be
considered unethical.
A more recent example with a utilitarian outcome happened when the Russian soldier
Alexander Prokhorenko called in airstrikes on himself when ISIS surrounded him. On the
records of his communication with the command, Prokhorenko says that he would rather die
for Russia as a hero than ISIS catch him and mock his uniform and country. The 25-year-old
soldier was reportedly happily married and was expecting his first child (Nevett & Rubin,
2016). According to the utilitarianism theory, an ethical outcome is that which brings the
least suffering (Patterson & Wilkins, 2014). On one hand, Prokhorenko sacrificed his life,
leaving his wife a widow and his unborn child without a father, to prevent the dignity of his
country. On the other hand, more of the ISIS people died when the airstrikes shot. However,
according to Mill, the good of an entire society has a place in ethical reasoning. In this
situation the society is Russia, and Prokhorenko did his best from that point of view. Given
the situation and the utilitarian philosophy, the case needs to be considered ethical.
On global view, the society in Mills statement may be considered the humanity as a
whole. And there is nothing that brings more happiness worldwide than the idea of Santa
Claus. While the fictional concept of the old man faces severe criticism for being just a good
marketing strategy, Santa has always brought joy and hope, especially in little children.
Convincing others that Santa Claus exists is practically a lie. However, this concept has made
such a great number of people happy throughout the years that it perfectly fits in the
requirements of utilitarianism (Cromwell, 2014). The action itself may be a lie but the

outcome of the situation is what matters the most in utilitarianism (Patterson & Wilkins,
2014). Judging by these facts, the good lie about Santa Claus has to be considered ethical,
according to the greatest-happiness principle.
Happiness is everyones lifetime goal and this is exactly what the utilitarianism
philosophy is about. The theory evaluates whether an action is ethical or not, judging by its
outcome. The ultimate goal of utilitarianism is to provide the greatest happiness to the greatest
number of people, like inventing Santa Claus. Sometimes the outcome can be aimed a certain
society, rather than globally, which is the case of the Russian Rambo Alexander
Prokhorenko. One of the characteristics that automatically categorize a case as unethical is if
it causes major pain or harm, and this is what happened between Lilian Lepre and the French
media. Utilitarianism is the most democratic and peace-seeking theory. The goal of Bentham
and Mills famous philosophy is to seek happiness and satisfaction. Isnt that everybodys?

References
Chrisafis, A. (2015, August 19). Paris shootings survivor sues French media for 'putting his
life in danger'. Retrieved from ttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/19/charliehebdo-hostage-sues-french-media-for-putting-his-life-in-danger?CMP=ema_546
Cromwell, R. (2014, December 22). Six Reasons To Lie To Your Kids About Santa Claus.
Retrieved from http://thefederalist.com/2014/12/22/six-reasons-to-lie-to-your-kidsabout-santa-claus/
Nevett, J, Lubin, R. (2016, March 29). Russian 'Rambo' revealed as dad-to-be Alexander
Prokhorenko who bravely called airstrike on himself as ISIS thugs surrounded him.
Retrieved from http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-rambo-revealeddad-alexander-7649725
Patterson, P., Wilkins L. (2014). Media Ethics (8th ed.). Singapore. McGraw-Hill
International Edition