1. Introduction (Unfinished Beginning) In this article I will introduce two arguments against classical utilitarianism and explain why they are convincing and defensible objections. I will then anticipate how a non-utilitarian consequentialist might try to avoid these problems. In the last section, I will use the example of poverty reduction to explain why Kantian ethics is immune to the harsh criticisms faced by the utilitarian.2. Two Objections to Classical Utilitarianism Classical utilitarianism is the doctrine that an act is morally right if and only if it maximizes overall utility (actual or expected) and each person's utility is counted impartially in the calculation. The last part of this definition implies that people are morally obligated to be absolutely impartial in all their actions, and that implication is problematic. (1) The charge that classical utilitarianism is too demanding A popular objection to classical utilitarianism is that it is too demanding. Suppose that person A has two choices to spend the weekend: he can watch movies at home or work at an NGO to save vulnerable people from suffering. According to classical utilitarianism, this person is morally obligated, not simply encouraged, to take the second choice and work as many hours as possible, because the overall reduction in pain of those who suffer far exceeds the utility obtained by this person by watching movie. . Likewise, Person B is morally obligated to resign from their job if it results in someone else's greater happiness gained from having the job. In these contexts, classical utilitarianism is too demanding because it demands more of people than they have sufficient reasons to provide. In other words, the doctrine requires people to... middle of paper... not condemn such action. Kant would conclude that behaviors such as buying a movie ticket are involuntary and morally neutral actions. After all, involuntary action is associated with neither good nor bad intentions, and is neither praiseworthy nor condemnable. The Kantian approach to the problem of poverty is also less demanding in terms of scope. There are millions of poor people living in hundreds of different countries, and utilitarianism requires us to continue offering our help until every one of them no longer suffers from poverty. Kantian ethics is not so demanding. As long as one has good will and incorporates it into one's action, no matter how many contributions one ends up making, one has done something morally good. Works Cited Mill, John Stuart. “What is Utilitarianism.” Utilitarianism. Raleigh, NC: Alex Catalog, 199. 17. Print.