utilitarianism
[ yoo-til-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uh m ]
/ yuˌtɪl ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm /
noun
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.
Origin of utilitarianism
First recorded in 1820–30;
utilitarian +
-ism
OTHER WORDS FROM utilitarianism
an·ti·u·til·i·tar·i·an·ism, nounWords nearby utilitarianism
utile,
utile dulci,
utilicare,
utilidor,
utilitarian,
utilitarianism,
utility,
utility function,
utility man,
utility player,
utility pole
Example sentences from the Web for utilitarianism
British Dictionary definitions for utilitarianism
utilitarianism
/ (juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪəˌnɪzəm) /
noun ethics
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
the theory that the criterion of virtue is utility
Cultural definitions for utilitarianism
utilitarianism
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.