Question

A terrorist is holding a group of children as hostages and threatening to kill them if his demands are not met. the police negotiator believes that she could save some children's lives if she lied to the terrorist, saying that the money and a helicopter are on the way. which approach would argue the most strongly that telling the lie in a situation like this, is morally right because it would produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number?

Answer 1

The argument of utilitarianism would strongly agree with 'lying' in this situation. By definition, utilitarianism promotes greatest happiness for the greatest number. One lie that saves many, is totally acceptable. In contrast, axiom would disagree, since axiom is about absolute laws, one may never lie no matter what the circumstances.