Utilitarianism does not mean "the greatest good of the greatest number" because
A) it is impossible to calculate "the greatest good."
B) it focuses solely on "the greatest good" and pays no attention to how "the good" is distributed.
C) some people have no moral worth.
D) it is impossible to maximize "the good" without ruining the environment.
E) All of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While "the greatest good of the greatest number" is often used as a shorthand for utilitarianism, it doesn't fully capture the philosophy. Utilitarianism is concerned with maximizing overall happiness or well-being, but it also holds that each individual's well-being is of equal importance. Therefore, simply maximizing the overall good without considering how it is distributed is not enough. Option A is partly true, but utilitarians do attempt to calculate which actions or policies will lead to the greatest overall well-being. Option C is false, as utilitarianism holds that every sentient being is worthy of moral consideration. Option D is also false, as utilitarians believe that long-term considerations should be taken into account when evaluating overall well-being, including environmental concerns.

Utilitarianism Does Not Mean "The Greatest Good of the Greatest