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Playing Dice with Morality: Weighted Lotteries and the Number Problem

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  • DOUCET, MATHIEU

Abstract

In this article I criticize the non-consequentialist Weighted Lottery (WL) solution to the choice between saving a smaller or a larger group of people. WL aims to avoid what non-consequentialists see as consequentialism's unfair aggregation by giving equal consideration to each individual's claim to be rescued. In so doing, I argue, WL runs into another common objection to consequentialism: it is excessively demanding. WL links the right action with the outcome of a fairly weighted lottery, which means that an agent can only act rightly if s/he has actually run the lottery. In many actual cases, this involves epistemic demands that can be almost impossible to meet. I argue that plausible moral principles cannot make such extreme epistemic demands.

Suggested Citation

  • Doucet, Mathieu, 2013. "Playing Dice with Morality: Weighted Lotteries and the Number Problem," Utilitas, Cambridge University Press, vol. 25(2), pages 161-181, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:utilit:v:25:y:2013:i:02:p:161-181_00
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