I completely agree! The fact that people donβt understand this is probably one of the main reasons so many reject utilitarianism as too demanding. They donβt get that maximizing utility is an ideal, not a minimum requirement for being a good person. I have usually referred to ideals simply as directions, but I really like how you compare them to the North Star. The idea is the same, but your wording is a bit more poetic.
I completely agree! The fact that people donβt understand this is probably one of the main reasons so many reject utilitarianism as too demanding. They donβt get that maximizing utility is an ideal, not a minimum requirement for being a good person. I have usually referred to ideals simply as directions, but I really like how you compare them to the North Star. The idea is the same, but your wording is a bit more poetic.