Difference between revisions of "Utility monster"
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| − | A '''Utility monster''' is a hypothetical entity used by philosopher [[Robert Nozick]] in an argument against [[Utilitarianism]].<ref>''Anarchy, State and Utopia.'' Nozick, Robert.</ref> A | + | A '''Utility monster''' is a hypothetical entity used by philosopher [[Robert Nozick]] in an argument against [[Utilitarianism]].<ref>''Anarchy, State and Utopia.'' Nozick, Robert.</ref> A utility monster is a highly [[efficient]] [[consumer]] of resources: it gains enormous amount of pleasure (or, in economic terms, [[utility]]) from very small quantities of a particular [[resource]]. So for example, it may get 1000 times more pleasure out of drinking a sip of wine than a wine lover may get if let loose in a fine winery. As cardinal utilitarianism suggests that we allocate goods and resources so that we maximise the total or average amount of pleasure, given the existence of a utility monster we would be obliged to neglect the needs of human beings in favour of satisfying the monster, perhaps even to the extent of annihilating the human race. |
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[[Category:Philosophy]] | [[Category:Philosophy]] | ||
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Latest revision as of 04:04, May 24, 2009
A Utility monster is a hypothetical entity used by philosopher Robert Nozick in an argument against Utilitarianism.[1] A utility monster is a highly efficient consumer of resources: it gains enormous amount of pleasure (or, in economic terms, utility) from very small quantities of a particular resource. So for example, it may get 1000 times more pleasure out of drinking a sip of wine than a wine lover may get if let loose in a fine winery. As cardinal utilitarianism suggests that we allocate goods and resources so that we maximise the total or average amount of pleasure, given the existence of a utility monster we would be obliged to neglect the needs of human beings in favour of satisfying the monster, perhaps even to the extent of annihilating the human race.
- ↑ Anarchy, State and Utopia. Nozick, Robert.