Final answer:
Utilitarianism is considered too demanding because it requires individuals to prioritize overall happiness over their own well-being or relationships. Critics argue that it overlooks individual rights and justice, leading to ethical concerns about fairness and equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Utilitarianism is a moral theory that suggests that an action is morally right if it produces the greatest amount of happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. However, some critics argue that utilitarianism is too demanding because it requires individuals to always prioritize the overall happiness, even at the expense of their own personal well-being or relationships.
For example, imagine a scenario where a person has the opportunity to donate their kidney to save the lives of five people. According to utilitarianism, they would be morally obligated to do so, even if it could potentially put their own health at risk or negatively impact their own quality of life.
Another criticism of utilitarianism is that it can overlook the value of individual rights and justice. For instance, in a utilitarian framework, it might be justified to sacrifice the rights or well-being of a minority group if it leads to greater overall happiness. This raises ethical concerns about fairness and equality.