How much more demanding is utilitarianism than common sense morality?

Abstract

Utilitarianism, it is often said, is excessively demanding. Sidgwick was aware of, and responded to, this objection. We agree with him in general, but also argue that conditions have changed so much since the Victoria era that the gap between utilitarianism and common sense morality in regard to demandingness is now wider than it was in his time. It is, however, common sense morality that needs to change in this respect, not utilitarianism.