Discuss the challenges in utilitarianism.

Fundamentally, the ethical approach in utilitarianism
prevents full embrace of anything emotional regarding the decision making process.  For
example, human rights violations can be seen as becoming morally acceptable under the
idea of "the greatest good for the greatest number."  The idea of constructing under the
"largest good" is of fundamental importance in determining actions and policy can be
done without paying special attention to the rights and narratives of individuals.  I
cannot help but go back to literature in this instance.  Consider the story told by
Dickens of the schoolmaster Gradgrind in Hard Times.  Utilitarian
philosophy which stresses, "fact, not fancy" in its pursuit of providing for the
greatest good for the greatest number is shown to be frail when providing an emotional
sensibility in which one can effectively interact with the world.  Another example would
be Pasternak's construction of individual narratives and the idea of the subjective
brought out in Doctor Zhivago.  Yuri's passionate pursuit of the
exploration of the subjective notion of the good is brought into a setting where "the
greatest good for the greatest number" trumps all else.  These emotional approaches can
help bring out the ethical challenges in utilitarianism.