Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism (/juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəriənɪzəm/) is a philosophical theory that proposes actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority. It is a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome.
Etymology
The term "utilitarianism" was first used by John Stuart Mill in his work, Utilitarianism (1861), though the concept was developed by Jeremy Bentham. The word is derived from utility, a term used by Bentham to refer to the capacity of an action to produce happiness or pleasure.
Related Terms
- Consequentialism: The doctrine that the morality of an action is to be judged solely by its consequences.
- Hedonism: The ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life.
- Eudaimonia: A Greek word commonly translated as happiness or welfare; however, "human flourishing or prosperity" has been proposed as a more accurate translation.
- Deontology: The ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Utilitarianism
- Wikipedia's article - Utilitarianism
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