Are there irrelevant utlities?

Abstract

This chapter investigates whether and under what conditions the presence of additional, lesser goods should be disregarded when choosing between saving equal numbers of lives. The analysis distinguishes between direct and indirect need for aid, and between extra utilities that benefit those whose lives are at stake and those whose lives are not. It examines the concept of “Sobjectivity,” which describes the interplay of subjective and objective perspectives when deciding which extra utilities to consider. The chapter then focuses on Sobjectivity1, a particular combination of subjective and objective perspectives that considers how we view the interests of those involved. It argues that substituting equivalents is not always appropriate, as we should not always disregard additional good that can be achieved by helping one group over another.