Sidgwick suggests that the morality of common sense may be thought of as a machinery of rules, habits, and sentiments, roughly adapted to the production of the greatest possible happiness for sentient beings (Sidgwick, The Methods of Ethics, p. 475). Discuss this suggestion. Is it plausible to construe received morality in these terms? What would a utilitarian say about the possibility of reforming our social practices and/or habits to combat our tendencies to be partial towards our friends, family, and romantic partners? How does utilitarian morality accommodate these relationships? Do you find this picture plausible? Why or why not?”
