Theistic morality

[rjh4 is back]

It would depend on the significance of the interests involved to each person. A hundred people receiving a pin prick wouldn't outweigh one being burnt alive, as pain cannot be taken into account cumulatively, as it is confined within each individual's consciousness. Strength of interest being equal, though, it would depend on the numbers in each group, yes. Of course, it isn't an exact science, but it can be approximated, and rough moral decisions can be made.

So how would preference utilitarianism as you view it handle the following hypothetical?

Person A: An individual
Group B: A group consisting of 10,000 people other than individual A

Time Period 1: 3 years (From time 0 to 3 years)
Time Period 2: 3 years (From 3 years to 6 years from time 0)
Time Period 3: 3 years (From 6 years to 9 years from time 0)
Time Period 4: 25 years (From 9 years to 34 years from time 0)

Assume all involved, A and B, do not have a preference for imprisonment, starvation, or death.

X: Something that happens to A at some time prior to time 0.
Not X: X not happening to A at some time prior to time 0.

Here are the facts for X and Not X:

X:

TP1: As a direct result of things that happened to A because of X, A is imprisoned (hindering the interests of A). The interests of B are fulfilled.

TP2: As a direct result of things that happened during the imprisonment of A, A is no longer imprisoned and is placed in a powerful position (fulfilling the interests of A). The interests of B are fulfilled.

TP3: A famine occurs in the land. As a direct result of the powerful position in which A is placed, A is able to provide food for A and B during the famine (fulfilling the interests of A and B).

TP4: The famine ends. The interests of A and B are fulfilled.


Not X:

TP1: The interests of A and B are fulfilled.

TP2: The interests of A and B are fulfilled.

TP3: A famine occurs in the land. As a result of the famine A and B starve to death.

TP4: The famine ends. A and B are dead.

How would you evaluate X and Not X overall (in terms of “good” and “bad”)?