utilitarianism

[ yoo-til-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. the ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility, and that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons.

utilitarianism

/ juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. the doctrine that the morally correct course of action consists in the greatest good for the greatest number, that is, in maximizing the total benefit resulting, without regard to the distribution of benefits and burdens
2. the theory that the criterion of virtue is utility

utilitarianism

1. A system of ethics according to which the rightness or wrongness of an action should be judged by its consequences. The goal of utilitarian ethics is to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number . Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher , was the founder of utilitarianism; John Stuart Mill was its best-known defender.

Other Words From

• anti·u·tili·tari·an·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of utilitarianism¹

First recorded in 1820–30; utilitarian + -ism

Example Sentences

Set in a post-apocalyptic Outback, Broken Roads leans heavily into its “Moral Compass,” with options that reflect four different philosophies: utilitarianism, nihilism, Machiavellianism and humanism.

From Seattle Times

An overachieving child born to two overachieving parents, Bankman-Fried and his younger brother were taught at an early age about utilitarianism, a doctrine holding that the most ethical choice is the one that does the most good for the most people.

From BBC

There’s something oddly compelling about seeing a neat, orderly enumeration of your ethical values—the Moral Machine is much quicker at computing those supposed values than was the college roommate you stayed up all night with discussing the sticking points of utilitarianism.

From Slate

In case the sheer callousness of this utilitarianism weren’t ugly enough, it was also another misdirect: As I argued in the Daily Beast in 2016, Tesla’s crude safety claim didn’t adjust for the biggest-known factors in road safety, like road type and driver age.

From Slate

Musk is using utilitarianism in a more limited way, arguing that as long as he’s sure something will have a net benefit, he’s permitted to do it right now.

From New York Times