Utility Monster
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The concept of a "Utility Monster" is discussed in a philosophical context by on the . According to Jacob, a utility monster is a hypothetical being in utilitarian philosophy that derives more happiness from resources than anyone else. This presents a dilemma because, theoretically, all resources should be allocated to this entity to maximize overall happiness. Jacob compares this to the Cookie Monster, who derives excessive joy from cookies, suggesting that he should receive all the cookies due to his higher utility derived from them. Jacob uses this analogy to illustrate the challenges of managing diverse priorities and perspectives in large open source projects 1.
Additionally, in the elaborates on this by stating that if one were to follow effective altruism utilitarianism to its logical end, it could lead to breeding "Utility Monsters" that maximize perceived happiness in the universe, creating a potentially absurd scenario 2.
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