I’m pretty confident that (self-described) utilitarians, in practice, very rarely do that. I think it’s more common for them to view and discuss things as if they become “progressively more praiseworthy”, or as if there’s an obligation to do something that’s at least sufficiently good, and then better things become “progressively more praiseworthy” (i.e., like you have to satisfice, and then past there it’s a matter of supererogation).
I’m pretty confident that at least some forms of utilitarianism do see only the maximally good (either in expectation or “objectively”) action as permitted. And I think that classical utilitarianism, if you take its original form at face value, fits that description. But there are various forms of utilitarianism, and it’s very possible that not all of them have this “maximising” nature. (Note that I’m not a philosopher either.)
I think a few somewhat relevant distinctions/debates are subjectivism vs objectivism (as mentioned in this post) and actualism vs possibilism (full disclosure: I haven’t read that linked article).
Note that me highlighting that self-described utilitarians don’t necessarily live by or make statements directly corresponding to classical utilitarianism isn’t necessarily a critique. I would roughly describe myself as utilitarian, and don’t necessarily live by or make statements directly corresponding to classical utilitarianism. This post is somewhat relevant to that (and is very interesting anyway).
People keep telling me that my criticisms of utilitarianism are criticisms of classical utilitarianism, not the improved version they believe in. But they keep failing to provide clear explanations of new improved utilitarianism. Which is a problem because if improved utilitarianism has aspects of subjectivism or social construction, or whatever, then it is no longer a purely mathematical and objective theory, as advertised.
I’m pretty confident that (self-described) utilitarians, in practice, very rarely do that. I think it’s more common for them to view and discuss things as if they become “progressively more praiseworthy”, or as if there’s an obligation to do something that’s at least sufficiently good, and then better things become “progressively more praiseworthy” (i.e., like you have to satisfice, and then past there it’s a matter of supererogation).
I’m pretty confident that at least some forms of utilitarianism do see only the maximally good (either in expectation or “objectively”) action as permitted. And I think that classical utilitarianism, if you take its original form at face value, fits that description. But there are various forms of utilitarianism, and it’s very possible that not all of them have this “maximising” nature. (Note that I’m not a philosopher either.)
I think a few somewhat relevant distinctions/debates are subjectivism vs objectivism (as mentioned in this post) and actualism vs possibilism (full disclosure: I haven’t read that linked article).
Note that me highlighting that self-described utilitarians don’t necessarily live by or make statements directly corresponding to classical utilitarianism isn’t necessarily a critique. I would roughly describe myself as utilitarian, and don’t necessarily live by or make statements directly corresponding to classical utilitarianism. This post is somewhat relevant to that (and is very interesting anyway).
People keep telling me that my criticisms of utilitarianism are criticisms of classical utilitarianism, not the improved version they believe in. But they keep failing to provide clear explanations of new improved utilitarianism. Which is a problem because if improved utilitarianism has aspects of subjectivism or social construction, or whatever, then it is no longer a purely mathematical and objective theory, as advertised.