Razões egoístas para se agir de modo altruísta: o utilitarismo teológico de William Paley

We intend, in this article, to analyze the ethical proposal ofWilliam Paley. Considered as an utilitarianist of exception, Paley hasassociated the principle of utility to a transcendent requirement. It60 Del Cont, V. D. Cadernos de Ética e Filosofia Política 12, 1/2008, p. 39-62.consists in the idea that individuals motivated for the search of the maximizationof happiness have as a maximum rule the obedience to the willof God. Paley assumes that following the will of God is necessary conditionfor the enjoyment of the perpetual happiness. Considering that willof God is expressed through good and happiness of all His creatures, theindividual will be awarded with the perpetual happiness if he works topromote the happiness of all.