I think your analysis is correct for many people, myself included. Even though I know the premise of the thought experiment is that the gifted boy receives more utility, that is just too hard to believe to take seriously.
Your billionaire example makes the situation more clean and less influenced by my inability to accept the facts of the situation. If choosing between giving Bezos $100 or some dude $0.00001 I would probably just give the $100.
The even cleaner version of this problem is the utility monster mentioned in the article.
Your billionaire example makes the situation more clean and less influenced by my inability to accept the facts of the situation. If choosing between giving Bezos $100 or some dude $0.00001 I would probably just give the $100.
The even cleaner version of this problem is the utility monster mentioned in the article.