At the same time, the opponents of same-sex marriage proclaim that history, tradition, and religious rules allow marriage exclusively between male and female. Nevertheless, utilitarian ideas declare that same-sex marriage do not harm people and, thus, have the right to exist. According to utilitarianism and Bentham’s felicific calculus, gay marriages contribute to general well-being due to the promotion of happiness of homosexual people, adopted children, and society as a whole.
An ethical theory, utilitarianism, offers a clear solution to moral and socio-political problems. To determine the effectiveness of the policy, there is no need to look for spiritual leaders, turn to a tradition that often does not give a clear answer to the modern questions, study theories of the universe and human nature. Indeed, it is necessary to measure the changes in the well-being of people. The key idea of utilitarianism is that the action which brings the greatest benefit is morally right. When there is a choice between different activities (different versions of state policy, etc.), it is crucial to choose the one that will have the best consequences for everyone, whom it touches and involves. Utilitarianism demanded that customs and authorities that oppressed people over the centuries were checked to see if they improve people’s lives.
Another attractive feature of utilitarianism is its attention to the final results of action, which is called consequentialism described in the other deductive essay. Utilitarianism requires that one takes into account whether a particular action by a person or a group as well as a measure taken by the state is beneficial or harmful. There are people who state that gay marriages are evil. However, they are not able to define exactly this evil. If one condemns something, it is needed to show who is consequently affected. For instance, if adults enter into homosexual relations by mutual consent, there is no harm for others.
Same-sex marriage is an extended view of the family alliance, a marriage between people of the same sex, which should be extended to the same rights and duties as traditional marriages between men and women. The legalization of same-sex marriage will promote significant benefits for children. The legal status of homosexual couples will give them the opportunity to adopt children. Thus, there will be the increase in demand for adoption and decrease of children who are left without parental attention. “Same-sex marriage remedies some of the externalities imposed upon society by heterosexual sexual relations, such as the externality of unwanted children” (Bower 1002). Pennings argues that the legal recognition, social respect to same-sex marriages, and treating same-sex parents as adequate parents will improve the well-being of children (1614). Moreover, same-sex marriages will contribute to decreasing negative stereotypes and attitudes towards sexual minorities. According to Bower, “the negative externalities of intolerance would be reduced for all of society” (1002). Therefore, this will inevitably promote balanced development of the society.
One of the developers of utilitarianism, Jeremy Bentham, states that the principle of profit is understood as the principle that approves any action based on its contribution to the happiness of the party whose interests are affected (Hamowy). According to Hamowy, Bentham’s method of felicific calculus can help legislators to estimate the effects of laws on ensuring the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people. Bentham emphasizes that “individuals are generally the best judges of their own interests” (Hamowy). Thus, people should have the right to be free in making decisions and acting on their judgments so they do not harm others.
In conclusion, taking into consideration the utilitarian principle of ultimate goal and Bentham’s felicific calculus, it can be concluded that same-sex marriages should be legalized. Their legalization will make no harm to other people. Instead, same-sex marriages can contribute to the well-being of children, happiness of homosexual people, and harmonious development of the society as a whole.
