utilitarianism

Meanings

• noun

  A philosophical theory advocating that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct.

  - "Utilitarianism is a theory that prioritizes the greatest good for the greatest number."
  - "The utilitarian approach to ethics holds that actions are morally right if they promote happiness and morally wrong if they produce suffering."
  - "John Stuart Mill is a prominent figure in the history of utilitarianism."

• noun

  The belief that an action's moral worth is determined solely by its contribution to overall happiness.

  - "Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory that emphasizes the maximization of overall happiness."
  - "According to utilitarianism, the morality of an action depends solely on its outcome in terms of overall happiness."
  - "Utilitarianism is often contrasted with deontological ethical theories, which focus on the inherent moral value of actions rather than their consequences."

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Variants

List of all variants of utilitarianism that leads to same result
utilitarianism , utilitarianisms

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

The term 'utilitarianism' comes from the Latin word 'utilis,' meaning 'useful,' and the suffix '-itarianism,' denoting a system of beliefs based on a particular concept.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. Utilitarianism was first systematically developed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

2. Utilitarianism is often associated with the 'greatest happiness principle,' which holds that an action is morally right if it produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

3. Utilitarianism has been criticized for ignoring the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic values, as well as for failing to account for the distributive justice of happiness.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Consequentialism: Utilitarianism is a type of consequentialist ethical theory, which holds that the moral value of an action is determined solely by its consequences.

2. Hedonism: Utilitarianism shares some similarities with hedonism, which is the belief that pleasure is the ultimate good and the highest goal of human life.

3. Jeremy Bentham: Jeremy Bentham (1745-1832) was a prominent utilitarian philosopher who is often credited with developing the modern form of utilitarianism.

4. John Stuart Mill: John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was another influential utilitarian philosopher who expanded upon Bentham's ideas and refined the theory.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Utilitarianism has had a significant impact on Western philosophy, particularly in the areas of ethics and political theory. It has been influential in shaping modern conceptions of individual rights, social welfare, and the role of government in promoting the general welfare.

How to Memorize "utilitarianism"

1. visualize
   

   - To visualize utilitarianism, imagine a system of ethics that prioritizes the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
   - Visualize a scale that measures overall happiness and imagine how actions can be weighed against each other based on their contribution to happiness.

2. associate
   

   - Associate utilitarianism with the idea of maximizing overall happiness.
   - Think of utilitarianism as a way of making ethical decisions that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Utilitarianism: Maximizing Happiness for All

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