Final answer:
Many consider it true that utilitarianism's main weakness is its potential to disregard individual rights in favor of the greater good, which can lead to justifying actions that harm individuals if they benefit the majority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that the main weakness of utilitarianism is that it fails to respect individual rights is often considered true. Utilitarianism, as formulated by philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, is a form of consequentialism that seeks to maximize happiness or pleasure across society. However, this focus on the aggregate good can sometimes lead to actions that violate individual rights. For instance, a purely utilitarian approach could, hypothetically, justify the harm done to a minority if it results in greater overall benefit to the majority. Critics argue that this can lead to injustices, as seen in hypothetical situations where individual rights are overridden by the perceived greater good, such as someone being punished to prevent larger societal harm, even if they are personally innocent.