My impression is, what you propose to supersede Utilitarianism with, is rather naturally already encompassed by utilitarianism. For example, when you write
If someone gains utility from eating a candy bar, but also gains utility from not being fat, raw utilitarianism is stuck. From a desire standpoint, we can see that the optimal outcome is to fulfill both desires simultaneously, which opens up a large frontier of possible solutions.
I disagree that typical concepts of utilitarianism—not strawmans thereof—are in anyway “stuck” here at all: “Of course,” a classical utilitarian might well tell you, “we’ll have to trade-off between the candy bar and the fatness it provides, that is exactly what utilitarianism is about”. And you can extend that to also other nuances you bring: whatever, ultimately, we desire or prefer or what-have-you most: As classical utilitarians we’d aim exactly at that, quasi by definition.
Good point, i may have overstated the issue that utilitarianism runs into with this problem. They’re definitely not stuck, they can achieve a trade off or even a 3rd option that satisfied both outcomes. But i think the more salient issue with it in this case is that utilitarianism is not structured to allow optimal problem solving of these issues. It simplifies cause and effect both into the same metric of utility, which obfuscates the conflict, whereas this system places the conflict between the contrasting desires front and center.
From a utilitarian standpoint this specific problem is a matter of +X utility short term vs +Y utility long term, and once you solve for X and Y you chose the larger number. But that may not be the optimal solution if you can instead eat a non-fat candy bar and solve both problems at once. Both systems can achieve the same outcome, but in utilitarianism it’s harder to see the path.
My impression is, what you propose to supersede Utilitarianism with, is rather naturally already encompassed by utilitarianism. For example, when you write
I disagree that typical concepts of utilitarianism—not strawmans thereof—are in anyway “stuck” here at all: “Of course,” a classical utilitarian might well tell you, “we’ll have to trade-off between the candy bar and the fatness it provides, that is exactly what utilitarianism is about”. And you can extend that to also other nuances you bring: whatever, ultimately, we desire or prefer or what-have-you most: As classical utilitarians we’d aim exactly at that, quasi by definition.
Good point, i may have overstated the issue that utilitarianism runs into with this problem. They’re definitely not stuck, they can achieve a trade off or even a 3rd option that satisfied both outcomes. But i think the more salient issue with it in this case is that utilitarianism is not structured to allow optimal problem solving of these issues. It simplifies cause and effect both into the same metric of utility, which obfuscates the conflict, whereas this system places the conflict between the contrasting desires front and center.
From a utilitarian standpoint this specific problem is a matter of +X utility short term vs +Y utility long term, and once you solve for X and Y you chose the larger number. But that may not be the optimal solution if you can instead eat a non-fat candy bar and solve both problems at once. Both systems can achieve the same outcome, but in utilitarianism it’s harder to see the path.