In dealing with the question "should we always seek to maximize utility", it is important first to define the term "utility" and in so doing begin to identify some of the prominent arguments both for and against utilitarianism. Morally right actions produce the most good and good according to Utilitarianism is happiness. This happiness is known in Utilitarianism as utility. According to the theory of Utilitarianism we should always seek to maximize utility, after all it seems obvious that always striving for maximum happiness in the world would be a good thing. Perhaps it is because the theory seems so commonsensical that some of the problems arise. In this essay I will provide arguments both for and against the fundamental pillars of the theory of utilitarianism ultimately arriving at a single conclusion in which the question, "should we always seek to maximize utility" is answered.
             The first argument is based on the fundamental utilitarian pillar and somewhat hedonistic viewpoint that happiness in the form of utility should be of paramount concern, but is happiness all that matters? The Utilitarian would argue as a first premise that morally right actions produce the most good. As a second premise, the most good is the same as maximum utility which according to Utilitarianists is maximum happiness. Therefore in conclusion, if maximum happiness is born out of the right moral actions then indeed happiness is all that matters. At first glance this seems acceptable but a problem can be identified in examining a flaw of Hedonism. Hedonism holds that unhappiness is evil, on the bottom end of the scale of life while happiness is on the top end and the ultimate good; we evaluate issues in life on the account of how they make us feel. This approach however opens Utilitarianism up to criticism. Do things make us happy because they are good or are things good because they make us happy? Utilitarianism would...