Extreme and restricted utilitarianism

Abstract

This paper discusses the idea of distinguishing between extreme utilitarianism, which focuses on the consequences of an action in determining its rightness, and restricted utilitarianism, which considers both the consequences of an action and the moral rules governing it. The author argues against restricted utilitarianism, maintaining that moral rules are merely rules of thumb employed due to practical limitations but do not intrinsically justify an action’s rightness. The only instance where the rightness of an action should be determined by a rule is when the rule and its consequences align to produce an optimal outcome. Moreover, the author emphasizes that this argument applies even when considering moral behavior in a society composed solely of extreme utilitarians. – AI-generated abstract.