제도 공리주의

Abstract

The fact that ‘majority problem’ is highlighted by modern capitalism is the main background for utilitarianism to be in the spotlight. Utilitarianism is the optimal theory that can deal with ‘majority problem’ in that it aims for ‘the greatest happiness of the greatest number.’ With the totality of modern capitalism, today’s economic sector affects all areas of society. Utilitarianism emerges again as progressive theory in this era in that modern society is a structure of ‘minority to majority.’ Utilitarianism becomes a counter theory against the totality of capitalism. I insist on creating and operating a system for the benefit of the majority through ‘institutional utilitarianism.’ Social reform is none other than institutional reform. It is to promote public interest through the establishment and operation of the system. Institutional utilitarianism emphasizes the importance of building a proper system. Public interest should be understood as social organizational system, and our task is to make social systems promote public interest. In creating and operating social systems, the priority of pain removal and the secondarity of pleasure promotion should be considered. The ‘institutional utilitarianism’ requires harmony with ‘functional differentiation of society.’ Laws and system should be prepared in consideration of the ‘functional differentiation’ that actually occurs in society. Otherwise it can be counterproductive. It has a more effective effect to operate an appropriate system in line with the functional differentiation of society. Institutional utilitarianism for “the greatest happiness of the greatest number” promotes desirable functional differentiation from ‘normal perspective’ against the backdrop of functional differentiation realized in society. If ‘functional differentiation as factual concept’ is the background and condition for realizing ‘institutional utilitarianism’, ‘functional differentiation as normative concept’ becomes the goal that ‘institutional utilitarianism’ seeks to realize. If you are satisfied with the functional differentiation that actually occurs in society as it is, you cannot expect to differentiate the system for the weak naturally in society. I insist on realizing ‘functional differentiation as normative task’ in areas outside the market. In this regard, from my point of view, ‘utilitarianism’ and ‘functional differentiation as normative task’ are very closely related.