Nozick's Experience Machine Thought Experiment

Evaluation of Hedonism and Utilitarianism and approval of Nozick’s Experience Machine Thought Experiment

In the following essay, I will be discussing the similarities and differences that exist between the ethical philosophies of Hedonism and Utilitarianism, and how these moral theories relate to Nozick’s Experience Machine thought experiment. Both of these theories hold a fundamental value that is to find that which is “good” in their own ways, but slightly differ in the meaning of what the “good” is. Hedonism defines this value to be pleasure of the self, whereas Utilitarianism values the happiness of the greatest number of people, even if the self happens to be unhappy or ill-fated. Nozick’s thought experiment gives the reader the task

The belief in this ethical creed is that everything is right in proportion to how much happiness it brings with it, and what is considered wrong is what produces the opposite of happiness. This way of thinking still holds the value of happiness as being pleasure and unhappiness as being pain, what differs from Hedonism is that utilitarianism seeks happiness for the masses. This answers Epicurus of “what a man ought to do?” with acting as so to yield the best results or consequences for the greatest number of people affected by the decision, even if this means to put oneself in an unfortunate situation. Utilitarianism is using “good” as a means to an end. Consequentialism is a large factor to take into account when talking about Utilitarianism, as the consequences of one’s actions must be measured against the happiness of the community, meaning that every action taken by the one must be reviewed to avoid bringing unhappiness to the community or largest amount of people. A quick example of this would be a situation where Person A knows a piece of information that would cause Person B to be unhappy; it is then up to Person A to possibly lie in order to maintain Person B’s happiness. At this point Person B would be seemingly happy, but what consequences would follow this kind of act? Will the person eventually find out Person A knew this truth? How would Person B feel? Thankful? Enraged? Will hiding this truth endanger Person B? This ethical approach is seen as the preferred for a utopian society as egoism is not supported, since it would most likely bring some sort of unpleasantry or unhappiness to some members of the community. For example, one could go out to dine and have a delicious stake dinner in a fancy restaurant, and then go out and enjoy a few drinks. Arguably this can be seen