Michael Cholbi has a nice post entitled On esoteric normative theories at Pea Soup. Here is a taste:
Normative theories are occasionally criticized for being esoteric. A theory T is esoteric iff (T is true (or correct, or superior to its rivals, etc.), but it is better that T not be generally believed or accepted.) Examples of allegedly esoteric philosophical theories include:
• "Sophisticated" utilitarianisms: These theories distinguish between utilitarianism as a decision procedure and utilitarianism as a criterion of rightness, and might argue that utility is better maximized if some people people neither use the utilitarian standard as a decision procedure nor even accept or endorse that standard. If the theory were not esoteric, it may well be self-defeating.
Very nice post. Check it out.