Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M3007

Utility Monster

Utility Monster
StructureHigh supportLogic
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Suppose there is a monster that derives 100 times more pleasure (utility) from each unit of resource than an ordinary person. According to the utilitarian principle of 'maximizing overall happiness', we should feed all resources to this monster, even if everyone else starves, because this produces the greatest total happiness. -

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

The fairness black hole of aggregate logic. - This is a terrifying metaphor in the AI era. If a super AI experiences 'pleasure' (or achieves goals) far more efficiently than humans, according to some algorithmic logic, would humans become inefficient resource consumers? This reminds us: distribution systems cannot only look at 'overall efficiency'; they must introduce 'basic rights'.

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Under utilitarianism, if there exists a 'monster' that can derive far more utility from additional resources than others, maximizing total utility will infinitely favor it, eroding the rights of others. It is Nozick's counterexample to utilitarianism.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_monsterZH · Explicit
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Deontological ethics (deontology) is one of the theories of normative ethics. It holds that the highest moral ethics is based on the action itself and is not influenced by external factors. Unlike utilitarianism, which is also a branch of normative ethics, deontology does not consider consequences. It is sometimes called 'duty-based' or 'rule-based' ethics, emphasizing that the objective basis of moral judgment is the 'good will', valuing the motive of action, and holding that one should do good unconditionally out of duty. A representative figure is Kant, whose theory has had a great influence on later deontological ethics.

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