I. Some Fundamental Issues of Economic Behavior The title of
this article indicates that there is some inherent problem with
utilitarian thinking. To develop this thesis, it is necessary to
explore the nature of human behavior and to examine the
necessary implications of utility analysis when it is extended
to utilitarianism. As it is understood here, economic behavior
is a fundamental component of human nature. In particular, it is
rooted in the observation that all human beings have a natural
interest in behaving economically. That is, all human beings
have a vested interest in capturing the greatest return on their
scarce resources. Toward this end, any individual will have a
natural tendency to avoid wasting his resources and will,
instead, attempt to be frugal, thrifty, and prudent in managing
them. This should be readily affirmed considering the prospect
of what would happen if it were not true. As Clarence Carson has
written, “If this were not the case, it is easy to believe [the
human race] would have