Majalah Ilmiah METHODA
Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025): Majalah Ilmiah METHODA

Kebaikan yang Menyesatkan: Ketika Utilitarianisme Menjauhkan Manusia dari Allah

Jansen Hutabarat (Universitas Methodist Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2025

Abstract

This study discusses the relationship between utilitarianism as a consequentialist ethical theory and the Christian faith, specifically how utilitarianism can give birth to a “perverse goodness” and lead people away from God. Utilitarianism judges morality based on the end result that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Although seemingly noble, this approach often justifies morally wrong actions-such as lying, murder, euthanasia, sacrificing the minority for the majority, even war policies-as long as they are deemed to bring greater benefits. The results of the study show that the utilitarianism paradigm has the potential to ignore the dignity of human beings created in the image of God, give rise to moral relativism, and separate goodness from God's will. In the perspective of Christian Moral Theology and Divine Command Theory, goodness is not only measured by social consequences but also by obedience to God's command. Thus, actions that seem good according to utilitarian logic are not necessarily right according to Christian morality, because true goodness must bring people. This study confirms that the “ends justify the means” logic of utilitarianism contradicts the absolute divine moral principle. Believers are called to be wary of the pragmatic goodness that leads to deception, and to hold on to the truth of God's word, which is the highest standard of morality. Thus, this study contributes to the understanding of Christian ethics in facing modern moral challenges that are often wrapped in the pretext of public benefit.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

methoda

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Computer Science & IT Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

Majalah Ilmiah METHODA adalah jurnal ilmih yang dikelola oleh Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat Universitas Methodist Indonesia yang menampung artikel ilmiah dari berbagai multi disiplin ilmu. Majala Ilmiah METHODA terbit 3 kali dalam setahun yakn pada bulan April, Agustus dan ...