Utilitarianism

Each day we wake, we are driven by our own interests and priorities. Even if on our "to-do" list is a chore for someone else, we largely do what we do based on meeting our needs and satisfying our own sense of accomplishment, ego and/or self-worth. This observation represents the crux of what philosopher John Stuart Mill termed "utilitarianism."  All human action, including acts of kindness, Mill said, are derived from one's self interest. In other words, each day we do what is best for us. Without question, this sure does make all of us sound selfish. Perhaps, we are. Perhaps, being this way speaks to our fundamental need and desire to survive.


What is the impact of this reality on communication? Specifically, how does striving to feed our self interest affect the way we communicate with each other? For instance, does this speak to why we seem to be more interested in getting our own points or messages across than we in hearing what others might have to say? Is this why in the world of pubic relations communicating to persuade others dominates attempting to establish partnerships? Is this an explanation as to why more and more we seem interested in talking at rather than talking with each other? Does this mean the primary reason we listen to others is to meet our own needs? It would seem so.


Given this, it is no wonder so much of what is emphasized in communication classes taught at the college level revolves around teaching students how to be effective at creating messages and then imparting them to targeted publics. Without question, these skills are definitely required of practitioners post-college in the communication industry. It would seem, then, the notion that all of us should be motivated to help and even do what is best for others needs to be recognized as being little more than a pipe dream. Perhaps, after all, communication is the ultimate act of satisfying one's self interest. For me, Mill's utilitarianism may be the truth, but it does not mean I have to like it.