http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/3/26/152849/926/#7
The greatest good for the greatest number of shareholders? Or the greatest good for the greatest number of organisms on planet earth?
Of course, under corporate utilitarianism, the rest of the symbiotic ecosystem is there to serve human kind, none of those lesser entities figure into the utilitarian equation. Plankton and blue whales are not shareholders, screw 'em.
Quantity or quality? Hidden within utilitarian arguments is the mother earth killing concept of unlimited growth. Greatest good for the greatest number? Simply increase the numbers of humans, then maintain them at an adequate level of goodness.
For example: Let human population growth, steered by commercial and military concerns, proceed unchecked. When people suffer, claim that their suffering is due to a lack of DDT, or genetically engineered crops, or unregulated corporate expansion.
Blame the suffering on environmentalists, instead of the lack of reproductive rights for women, that caused the over population.
Make environmentalists look like a force for genocide in under developed areas. Unlimited growth, for human population and corporate profits. The greatest good for the greatest number.
On the other hand we have the spiritual/ethical sense informed by empathy. That sense that comes directly into us by natural example. The basis for all civilization. Empathy, symbiosis, quality of life.
Over quantity, over unlimited growth, over perpetual war and tyranny. The four horsemen ride over the land on horses made from corporate utilitarianism.
