The implication of the definition of the self on utilitarian moral theory

This thesis examines the criticism made by Michael Sandel that the liberal theory\ud proposed by John Rawls endorses a problematic notion of the self. The critique attributes\ud the unencumbered self to liberal theory. Based on the similarities between Rawls???\ud liberalism and utilitarianism as a liberal theory, I answer the question of whether\ud utilitarianism is also vulnerable to Sandel???s criticism. I lay out the defining features of\ud utilitarianism as it is presented by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. Upon this\ud presentation of utilitarianism, I consider the relationship between the right and the good\ud within Bentham and Mill???s theories in contrast with that of Rawls??? liberalism. Noting that\ud the differences between the conceptions regarding which is prior, the right or the good,\ud can be traced back to the foundations of the moral theory, I turn my attention there. I\ud attribute the fact that utilitarian moral theory is not vulnerable to Sandel???s criticism to\ud utilitarianism???s foundations in empiricism, as opposed to the metaphysical basis of\ud Rawls??? theory. It is argued, in detail, that utilitarian moral theory is not vulnerable to\ud Sandel???s attack on Rawls??? liberalism due to David Hume???s influence on Jeremy Bentham\ud and John Stuart Mill