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Base_Six t1_jch6mhy wrote

Questions of realism or moral hazard aside, Bentham can donate his $10 to charity and do far more good than he would by preventing some degenerate deontologist from cutting off his finger. If Bentham is a committed utilitarian who believes in taking actions at every turn to maximize utility and has not given that money away already, it's because he ascribes significant moral value to keeping it.

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PyrrhoTheSkeptic t1_jcia8r0 wrote

Yes. The whole thing is silly. At the first attempted mugging:

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>MUGGER. Here's the thing: there is, clearly, more utility in me keeping my finger than in you keeping your measly ten pounds. So there would be more utility in the world if you gave me the money than if you didn't.

A better response than what was given is:

"No, I am giving the money to stop a child from starving, so cut off your finger you stupid bastard."

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