The Principle of Maximum Utility
is the idea that one should
attempt to maximize total utility for all beings
, or at least some weighted average
of all beings.
Usually people weigh themselves heavier, but altruistic people
would have all humans weigh the same
. Really silly animal lovers
would even allow animals a nonzero
Some think that the quickest way to maximum utility
is for everyone to be really selfish
, so we evolve quicker
When evaluating utility, you mustn't forget to include emotional states. So for example, killing one person to save two would save a life, but it would also create such a huge fear all throughout society that it wouldn't be worth it. If this utilitarian government
tried to do it secretly, to avoid scaring everyone, it would just make the consequences worse if they were discovered.