The ethical analysis of the proposed scenario under

u litarianism depends on how one interprets and

applies the principles of u litarianism. U litarianism is
a consequen alist ethical theory that evaluates the
morality of ac ons based on the overall happiness or
pleasure they produce. In simplis c terms, an ac on is
considered ethical if it maximizes overall happiness or
minimizes overall suffering.

In the case of Bernard Williams's kidnapping scenario, a

u litarian might argue that shoo ng one person to
save the lives of the remaining twenty would result in
greater overall happiness or pleasure. The idea is that
sacrificing one life to save twenty lives might be seen as
a net gain in terms of happiness.

However, there are several cri cisms and challenges to

this u litarian perspec ve. One major cri cism is that
u litarianism seems to overlook or undervalue certain
moral principles, such as individual rights and jus ce. In
the proposed scenario, shoo ng an innocent person
contradicts widely held moral intui ons about the
sanc ty of human life and the right to life.
Addi onally, some argue that u litarianism can lead to
morally objec onable outcomes, as it may jus fy
sacrificing the well-being of a few for the greater good
of the many. This challenges our common moral
intui ons about the intrinsic value of each individual.

In response to the scenario, some people might argue

that it is ethically unacceptable to shoot an innocent
person, regardless of the poten al overall happiness.
They might emphasize the importance of protec ng
individual rights and moral principles, even if it means
a less favorable outcome from a u litarian standpoint.

Ul mately, individuals may differ in their ethical

perspec ves, and the acceptability of the proposed
ac on under u litarianism will depend on their
interpreta on of the theory and their personal moral
values. It's worth no ng that this scenario is a
theore cal and extreme moral dilemma, and real-world
situa ons are o en more complex and nuanced. Ethical
decision-making is mul faceted and involves
considering various factors beyond just the immediate
consequences.