Final answer:
Dickens is criticizing utilitarianism by portraying the negative effects it has on his characters in his works like Oliver Twist, Little Dorrit, and Bleak House.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Charles Dickens' works such as Oliver Twist, Little Dorrit, and Bleak House, he uses his characters to criticize utilitarianism by showing the harmful consequences of prioritizing the greater good over individual happiness and well-being.
Tom becoming a liar and thief in his young adulthood reflects the corrupting influence of society and the moral compromises people make due to their circumstances. Dickens suggests that strict adherence to utilitarian principles can lead to a deterioration of character and the abandonment of moral values.