From a utilitarian point of view, the solution increases overall utility, so morally, it seems like the better option.

But there’s a problem: the rights of the boy on the boat are not being taken into account. Fundamental rights—such as the right to life—must be taken into account when assessing an action, and they ought to be upheld.

And there is another issue: if it’s good to save two instead of one, would it not be even better to work a little more and save a third child? Or a fourth? Utilitarianism can sometimes demand too much of us—it risks becoming morally overwhelming.

2.3 Mill (Utilitarianism)

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