So you find yourself at the subway
With your world in a bag by your side
And all at once it seemed like a good way
You realize it’s the end of the line
For what it’s worth

Here comes the train upon the track
And there goes the pain it cuts to black
Are you ready for the last act?
To take a step you can’t take back

Taken all the punches you could take
Took ’em all right on the chin
Now the camel’s back is breaking again, again
For what it’s worth

— Keira Knightley, “Begin Again”

What is the utility of a human being? Which beings are useful to us…and who are not? How do the utility of a person affect how we treat them… Or respect them or not? Whyndo we define the utilitarian value of a human being to us?

Why are some people useful but still deserving of our abuse and mistreatment and dishonour? What cognitive system can we use to make such judgements?