Philosophy / Unit 7 Philosophy 0284 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Demandingness Objection
Captions available
The idea
The demandingness objection: impartial maximizing makes nearly everything a duty—every dollar kept, every evening off, weighs against greater good undone.
In practice
While you watched a film, your ticket money could have fed someone. Utilitarian arithmetic never stops running.
Where people slip
Defenders answer variously—demanding is not the same as false. Perhaps morality is harder than we hoped.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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