Running a Utility Audit

A utility audit scores a proposal in four steps: list everyone affected, estimate each gain and loss in happiness, sum with every person counting once, then re-check the verdict at the level of rules.

Proposal: the city closes Main Street to cars on weekends. Step one, the affected: shopkeepers, drivers, residents, strollers — list them before weighing anyone. Step two, estimate: foot traffic and quiet up; commutes and deliveries slower; some gains large and lasting, some losses small and brief. Step three, sum impartially: the mayor's convenience and the barista's count the same; suppose the sum lands positive. Step four, the rule check: would a standing practice of weekend closures, adopted city-wide, still sum positive — or does this case ride on lucky details? If act and rule agree, the audit is done; if they part, name which utilitarianism you are running and say so out loud. The audit's discipline is the listing and the equal counting — most bad utilitarian arguments die at step one, having forgotten someone.