--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once we realise that utilitarianism comes…" description: "\"Once we realise that utilitarianism comes with the idea of blameworthy rightdoing (such as when you push a big man onto the tracks in order to save fiv..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc9/torbjorn-tannsjo-12405_answers_once-we-realise-that-utilitarianism-come_2615047.jpg" --- # Once we realise that utilitarianism comes with the idea of… ![“Once we realise that utilitarianism comes with the idea of blameworthy rightdoing (such as when you push a big man onto the tracks in order to save five lives) and blameless wrongdoing (such as when you don't push a big man onto the tracks in order to save five lives), then utilitarianism all of a…” quote by Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc9/torbjorn-tannsjo-12405_answers_once-we-realise-that-utilitarianism-come_2615047.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc9/torbjorn-tannsjo-12405_answers_once-we-realise-that-utilitarianism-come_2615047.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc9/torbjorn-tannsjo-12405_answers_once-we-realise-that-utilitarianism-come_2615047.jpg) > “Once we realise that utilitarianism comes with the idea of blameworthy rightdoing (such as when you push a big man onto the tracks in order to save five lives) and blameless wrongdoing (such as when you don't push a big man onto the tracks in order to save five lives), then utilitarianism all of a sudden appears to give the right answers.” [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Utilitarianism can seem to justify both blameworthy and blameless actions, exposing a tension between outcome‑based ethics and moral intuition. **In simple terms:** Utilitarianism may justify morally troubling actions if outcomes are good. Key Takeaway Question the moral cost of outcomes. Themes ethics utilitarianism moral dilemmas Mood critical analytical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - policy decisions - medical ethics - law - war - public health Key Concepts consequentialism blame right‑wrong Questions to Reflect On - When does the ends justify the means? - How to balance outcomes with moral principles? A Different Perspective It may ignore individual rights and justice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Utilitarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/utilitarianism/) [Wrongdoing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrongdoing/) ## Related quotes > [Utilitarianism condones killing of innocent human beings, even murder, if it makes the world a better place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/utilitarianism-condones-killing-of-innocent-human-beings-even-murder/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [These theories, deontology, the moral rights theory, and utilitarianism, contradict one another. Moreover, they give conflicting (inconsistent) recommendations. It is hence not possible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/these-theories-deontology-the-moral-rights-theory-and-utilitarianism/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [It is of note that even if utilitarianism has proved to be superior to deontology and the libertarian moral rights theory in the area…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/it-is-of-note-that-even-if-utilitarianism-has-proved-to-be-superior/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [I am indeed a hedonistic utilitarian. I have defended hedonistic utilitarianism for quite a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/i-am-indeed-a-hedonistic-utilitarian-i-have-defended-hedonistic/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [Utilitarianism is a philosophy from the olden days exploring the idea that whatever is best for the majority is the fairest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-pascoe/utilitarianism-is-a-philosophy-from-the-olden-days-exploring-the-idea/) [Sara Pascoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-pascoe/) > [Utilitarianism is inherently pragmatic - in fact, I prefer to call it "deep pragmatism." Humans have real limitations, obligations, and frailties, so the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-greene/utilitarianism-is-inherently-pragmatic-in-fact-i-prefer-to-call-it/) [Joshua Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-greene/) > [Critics of Consequentialism have often assumed that hedonism (or preference-satisfaction) must be the theory of the good, that the deontic principle must be maximizing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-jamieson/critics-of-consequentialism-have-often-assumed-that-hedonism-or/) [Dale Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-jamieson/) > [Bentham spent much of his life writing constitutions and proposing legal reform in the light of his utilitarianism. The evaluation of particular acts was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-jamieson/bentham-spent-much-of-his-life-writing-constitutions-and-proposing/) [Dale Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-jamieson/) > [Nietzsche is absolutely correct, even more correct today than when he wrote it in Thus Spake Zarathustra: I looked all about me for human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/nietzsche-is-absolutely-correct-even-more-correct-today-than-when-he/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [“Instead of the greatest happiness for the greatest number, one should demand, more modestly, the least amount of avoidable suffering for all; and further,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-r-popper/instead-of-the-greatest-happiness-for-the-greatest-number-one-should/) [Karl R. Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-r-popper/) > [“Many of the innovations in science and philosophy have come from unbelievers, some of whom died for their 'unbeliefs.' Without unbelief, we might well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-stein/many-of-the-innovations-in-science-and-philosophy-have-come-from/) [Gordon Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-stein/) > [“All social inequalities which have ceased to be considered expedient, assume the character not of simple inexpediency, but of injustice, and appear so tyrannical,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/all-social-inequalities-which-have-ceased-to-be-considered-expedient/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [The utilitarian behaves sensibly in all that is required for preservation but never takes account of the fact that he must die...His whole life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-bloom/the-utilitarian-behaves-sensibly-in-all-that-is-required-for/) [Allan Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-bloom/) > [Utilitarianism is a civilization of production and of use, a civilization of "things" and not of "persons," a civilization in which persons are used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/utilitarianism-is-a-civilization-of-production-and-of-use-a/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [“The religion of orgasm: utilitarianism projected into sex life; efficiency versus indolence; coition reduced to an obstacle to be got past as quickly as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-religion-of-orgasm-utilitarianism-projected-into-sex-life/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) ## More by Torbjorn Tannsjo > [Being a moral realist I see normative ethics as a search of the truth about our obligations and a search of explanation; the idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/being-a-moral-realist-i-see-normative-ethics-as-a-search-of-the-truth/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [I do believe that what I have called populist democracy is to be preferred to what I have called elitist democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/i-do-believe-that-what-i-have-called-populist-democracy-is-to-be/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [It is true that it feels very differently to enjoy a good meal, taking part in an interesting conversation, or to think of how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/it-is-true-that-it-feels-very-differently-to-enjoy-a-good-meal-taking/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [It is obvious that humanity faces existential threats of a global nature. They are global in the sense that is not possible to deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/it-is-obvious-that-humanity-faces-existential-threats-of-a-global/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [To kill or not to kill, that was the question that haunted me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/to-kill-or-not-to-kill-that-was-the-question-that-haunted-me/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [Are there any good arguments in defence of moral nihilism? I think not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/are-there-any-good-arguments-in-defence-of-moral-nihilism-i-think-not/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [According to deontology it is wrong to kill an innocent human being, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/according-to-deontology-it-is-wrong-to-kill-an-innocent-human-being/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [How could it be that I had a legal obligation to kill people I did not know, and who did certainly not consent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/how-could-it-be-that-i-had-a-legal-obligation-to-kill-people-i-did/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [I want to think that there are better ways of obviating murder than to resort to capital punishment, but I realise that this may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/i-want-to-think-that-there-are-better-ways-of-obviating-murder-than/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [Even where people in different cultures agree they may all have gone wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/even-where-people-in-different-cultures-agree-they-may-all-have-gone/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [The Chinese are generally speaking much more reluctant than Westerners to killing as a means to the rescue of lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/the-chinese-are-generally-speaking-much-more-reluctant-than/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [I am indeed a hedonistic utilitarian. I have defended hedonistic utilitarianism for quite a while.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/i-am-indeed-a-hedonistic-utilitarian-i-have-defended-hedonistic/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [What we need is legislation, not negotiation, for the entire globe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/what-we-need-is-legislation-not-negotiation-for-the-entire-globe/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [There comes a time where next to everyone will resort to techniques that enhance cognitive, mental including emotive, physical, and other capacities. When this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/there-comes-a-time-where-next-to-everyone-will-resort-to-techniques/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) > [I believe that one basic question, what we ought to do, period (the moral question), is a genuine one. There exists a true answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torbjorn-tannsjo/i-believe-that-one-basic-question-what-we-ought-to-do-period-the/) [Torbjorn Tannsjo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) [Explore all 55 Torbjorn Tannsjo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torbjorn-tannsjo/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. 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