Is Utilitarianism a Good Idea?

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Nihilists don't think that there are moral rules, and constructivists do. I just don't think it makes sense utilitarianism. The idea that there is some number that we can attack doesn't seem like a good starting point for anything. Jimmy says without moral realism, how can we ever justify intervening in other people's affairs to impose our own morality? He feels like there needs to be a way to help people without being hypocritical.

Welcome to the September 2022 Ask Me Anything episode of Mindscape! These monthly excursions are funded by Patreon supporters (who are also the ones asking the questions). We take questions asked by Patrons, whittle them down to a more manageable number — based primarily on whether I have anything interesting to say about them, not whether the questions themselves are good — and sometimes group them together if they are about a similar topic. Enjoy!

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