Utilitarianism (Noun)
Meaning
Doctrine that the useful is the good; especially as elaborated by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill; the aim was said to be the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- Jeremy Bentham's philosophy of utilitarianism was based on the idea that actions are right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
- The concept of utilitarianism is often used in economics to evaluate the benefits and costs of different policies and to make decisions that maximize overall well-being.
- John Stuart Mill's book "Utilitarianism" is a classic defense of the doctrine, which he argues is the foundation of moral and political philosophy.
- Critics of utilitarianism argue that it can lead to the sacrifice of individual rights and freedoms in the name of the greater good.
- In ethics, utilitarianism is often contrasted with deontological theories, which emphasize the importance of moral rules and duties rather than consequences.