In a very general sense though, I see a logical problem with this whole line of thought. How can any of these injunctions survive except as self-protecting beliefs?

How can utility functions (or terms in utility functions, depending on how you want to splice it up) survive except as self-protecting beliefs? The strange loop through the meta-level is not like induction where you have no other choice, there are many possible utility functions.

(I'm making this comment as a note to self to flag Michael's comment for future reference.)