Siyan, thank you so much for this contribution about utilitarianism! Well stated! And, on the level of an entire population or country, who are the people making these moral decisions? Whenever we talk about the masses being accounted for and involved in the ethical process, this is definitely utilitarianism! On this note, the point of view is what often determines whether or not a behavior is considered ethical. Utilitarianism, in this sense, really muddies up the water!!

Let me throw out another example: In society we discuss how we all have laws and policies that need to be followed and enforced, and the fact that these relate to the overall well-being of people who work together. In looking at the rules that follow a utilitarian principle in the workplace and in society in general, do these inherently damage our sense of individualism? Should we have more individualistic ethics in order to preserve the human spirit and human dignity?