Impartiality

The principle of impartiality is central to both deontological and utilitarian ethical theories, both of which call for an impartial appraisal of a situation, followed by the morally appropriate response.  These impartial moral theories require an individual to set aside personal interests and considerations, that is, they require us to make decisions based on an objective criteria, rather than personal bias.

An impartial decision, in short, is one in which certain considerations (particularly personal ones) have no influence on the deliberation involved in the decision.

The impartial value is represented in utilitarian theories in their insistence that outcomes or states of affairs are the solely relevant considerations in determining the appropriate moral action.  Noticeably absent from this view is a place for the personal considerations of an individual.  Thus, the utilitarian agent is not permitted to favor himself or herself, or his or her family, friends, and loved ones when deliberating over a decision.  Rather, the agent is morally required to act to bring about the best outcomes regardless of the beneficiaries of those actions.

To illustrate the principle of impartiality, consider the following case.  A lifeguard is faced with a dilemma: he can either rescue (a) a group of 5 swimmers or (b) a lone swimmer, who happens to be his cousin, but he cannot rescue both (a) and (b).  According to utilitarianism, the fact that (b) is the lifeguard’s cousin is not a consideration that overrides the lifeguard’s utilitarian duty to bring about the best outcome, which he will achieve by rescuing (a).