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[Audio] The novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley heavily incorporates the philosophical theory of Utilitarianism, which prioritizes societal stability and collective happiness over individual freedom and truth. In the novel, the World State's actions and beliefs are influenced by this ethical theory. The elimination of emotion and individualism in the society serves to maintain overall stability and happiness for the collective, despite the extreme measures such as suppressing art, religion, and family. This is in line with the idea of creating the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Philosopher Jeremy Bentham's ideas, such as the "greatest happiness principle" and using a "felicific calculus" to measure pleasure and pain, are reflected in the World State's scientific approach to creating a content society. Furthermore, the novel also presents a critique of metaphysical concepts, but portrays them in a superficial manner to highlight the society's prioritization of collective happiness over individual freedom and truth. Ultimately, Brave New World challenges readers to reflect on their own ethical beliefs and values in a thought-provoking manner..

[Audio] The novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley depicts the dangers of blindly following the philosophical theory of Utilitarianism. This concept, popularized by philosopher Jeremy Bentham, prioritizes the well-being of society over individual freedom and truth. In the World State, this ideology is taken to the extreme, with the government controlling every aspect of citizens' lives in the name of societal stability and collective happiness. This control is evident in the censorship of history and literature, effectively preventing citizens from learning about life beyond their tightly controlled existence. Additionally, the book portrays a view of human nature as a problem to be solved through scientific engineering. The World State believes that human desires, emotions, and personal pursuits lead to instability and unhappiness, and thus seeks to eliminate these "flaws" through methods such as controlling reproduction, dissolving family bonds, and chemically managing emotions. However, this perspective disregards the innate complexity and need for purpose in human life. John the Savage, a character raised outside of the World State, highlights the significance of love, art, and genuine struggle - aspects that have been eradicated in this society. These elements are crucial to a fulfilling human existence and provide depth and meaning to our lives. By analyzing the book's portrayal of human life through the Four Causes framework by Aristotle, it becomes apparent that human beings are reduced to mass-produced biological products, created through genetic selection and conditioning in bottles. Their social role in the caste system defines their essence, and their purpose is to maintain the stability and functioning of the collective, rather than seeking individual fulfillment or transcendent meaning. The government's control and manipulation of all aspects of human life serves as the effective cause. This cautionary tale reminds us to critically examine and question philosophical theories, such as Utilitarianism, instead of blindly following them. It is vital to acknowledge the value of individual freedom, truth, and the complexity of human life, rather than sacrificing these for the supposed greater good of society. As educators, it is our responsibility to promote critical thinking and to recognize and appreciate the unique aspects of human existence..

[Audio] In our previous discussion, we examined the concepts in Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World and how they connect to modern life in Kenya. Now, let's explore the impact of Utilitarianism in the book. The World State's focus on societal stability and collective happiness, at the expense of individual freedom and truth, closely aligns with philosopher Jeremy Bentham's ideas. We can see this in the initial chapters, with the themes of social conditioning, consumerism, and the pursuit of happiness through materialistic means. Let's first look at consumerism. The World State promotes consumption as a means of societal stability, as seen in their motto "Ending is better than mending." This mirrors the consumer culture in Kenya, where we are bombarded with advertisements and social media messages urging us to spend money on new products, leading to a cycle of constant dissatisfaction and consumption. Similarly, the use of "soma" in Brave New World as a form of escape has parallels in modern life, with social media, binge-watching, and substance use providing temporary relief from daily challenges. Another concept present in both the book and in Kenya is social stratification. While not as extreme as the caste system in the novel, Kenya still experiences significant socioeconomic divisions, with certain opportunities and institutions being accessible only to those from specific social or financial backgrounds. Moving on, the next topic we will discuss is the subversion of the transcendentals – truth, goodness, and beauty – in the book. In Brave New World, truth is replaced by convenience and social utility, as the World State deliberately deceives its citizens in order to maintain control and happiness, making truth an enemy of societal stability. Goodness is redefined as social conformity and obedience, with actions being considered "good" if they contribute to collective harmony, rather than possessing moral virtues. This reduces morality to what is functional for the World State. Lastly, beauty in the book is described as shallow and mass-produced..

[Audio] We have now reached the final slide of our presentation on Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World. Throughout our discussion, we have discovered that the World State in this novel heavily relies on the philosophical theory of Utilitarianism. This means that society prioritizes stability and collective happiness over individual freedom and truth. But what implications does this have for our own society? As we are all aware, we live in a world that constantly bombards us with distractions and ways to escape from reality. This can be seen through our constant use of social media, binge-watching shows, and engaging in other forms of passive entertainment that provide a quick burst of dopamine. The use of soma in the World State is an extreme version of this, but it also serves as a powerful metaphor for how our modern society operates. We are constantly presented with endless opportunities to avoid and escape reality, rather than facing it and finding true fulfillment. But what is the true cost of this constant need for distraction? Is it truly making us happy, or is it just a temporary fix? This highlights the importance of seeking genuine connection and purpose in our lives. As we have witnessed in the novel, the citizens of the World State may seem content and happy, but in reality, they lack true fulfillment and genuine human connections. In conclusion, I hope our presentation has given you a better understanding of how the novel Brave New World reflects the use of utilitarian principles in our society, and the significance of seeking genuine fulfillment and human connections. Thank you for your attention and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors..