CMV: most people are utilitarians and don’t know it

I’ve been looking into utilitarianism recently, and started to realize it’s not what others characterize it to be, I used to be one of those people who would mock it. Those scenarios that you come up with that you think utilitarians would “support” actually don’t maximize utility

Let’s take the typical example people use (I use to as well) the gang rape scenario. But here is the thing, GANG RAPE WOULDNT PRODUCE THE GREATEST PLEASURE. bc that one women would be traumatized and scarred for life, so which maximizes pleasure? 3 dudes who just stay horny? Or this person who is traumatized. THE REASON YOU GET THE ICK ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT PRODUCE THE GREATEST PLEASURE. Deep down you know it.

Think of all those other situations that you think utilitarians would support. I’m willing to bet if you thought about those situations a little bit longer you will realize that those don’t produce maximum pleasure, and you knew it already deep down.

I thought of an example recently where if a struggling friend or family member, kept asking, and asking and asking for money, first of all it would depend on what it’s for, and second the right thing usually to do would not be to just give them money but also help them get them back on their feet, help them get a job, help them manage finances better, also pay for what they need directly instead of just trusting them with the money (if that’s the issue) so that way one day they can provide for themselves and won’t need to beggars anymore (now If they are genuinely trying their best and their is 100% nothing they can do, and it doesn’t hurt you financially to give them money, then yes at the point give it)

That’s what a utilitarian would do, that’s the utilitarian solution, and I’m sure 90% of people would agree that what’s they should do in this situation. This isn’t controversial

I think the problem is when people think of utilitarianism they think of just short term pleasure, but long term pleasure also matters and utilitarians factor that in