Am I a utilitarian?

Utilitarianism is an ethical and philosophical theory that states that the best action is the one that maximizes utility, which is usually defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number of people.

Is utilitarianism the best moral system we could possibly have? Many people around me think so.

This is a very compelling idea. But it can be challenged. Here is the challege…

Would you want to live in a world… where everyone lives a long and prosperous life and they are very happy … but! there is one single person, a child, who is constantly suffering and has a miserable life… in exchange for the happiness of the others.  Would you be OK with this, being one of the millions of happy people, while knowing that there is one who pays for your happiness?

I would not.

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