Utilitarians are likely to suggest that taking a dollar from a rich person and giving it to a poor person:
A) increases society's total well-being because the loss in utility to the rich person is more than offset by the gain in utility to the poor person.
B) decreases society's total well-being because the loss in utility to the rich person is more than offset by the gain in utility to the poor person.
C) decreases society's total well-being because the gain in utility to the rich person exceeds the loss in utility to the poor person.
D) increases society's total well-being because the gain in utility to the rich person exceeds the loss in utility to the poor person.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Utilitarians believe in maximizing overall happiness or well-being in society. Taking a dollar from a rich person and giving it to a poor person would increase the overall well-being because the rich person's loss in utility is likely to be less than the gain in utility to the poor person. This redistribution of wealth would decrease the wealth gap between the two individuals and potentially increase social and economic mobility for the poor person. Therefore, Utilitarians would advocate for this policy as it would lead to overall societal benefits.

Utilitarians Are Likely to Suggest That Taking a Dollar from a Rich