The greatest good for the greatest number of people—who could disagree with that? Utilitarianism attempts to maximize happiness and minimize suffering, though if you don't agree with the way utilitarians define happiness and suffering, you might not totally agree with their methods. While the principles of utilitarianism might seem pretty reasonable, in The Lathe of Heaven we see how things can go horribly, horribly wrong depending on how you define and try to build up a perfect world. Just look at what happens when Dr. Haber tries his hand at it.
Questions About Philosophical Viewpoints (Utilitarianism)
- Which character in The Lathe of Heaven is most aligned with utilitarianism? How can you tell?
- Is utilitarianism depicted negatively or positively in The Lathe of Heaven? Why? How?
- What relationship does utilitarianism have to science and reason in The Lathe of Heaven?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
In The Lathe of Heaven, the most important thing is the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Utilitarianism is the only way to save the world in The Lathe of Heaven.