Philosophy Political Authority Questions
The utilitarian critique of political authority argues that political authority is only justified if it maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. Utilitarians believe that individuals should have the freedom to pursue their own happiness and that political authority should only be granted if it promotes the greatest amount of happiness for society as a whole. They question the legitimacy of political authority if it fails to achieve this goal or if it infringes upon individual rights and freedoms without sufficient justification. Utilitarians also emphasize the importance of accountability and transparency in political decision-making, as well as the need for evidence-based policies that can be objectively evaluated for their impact on overall well-being.