
Utilitarianism | Definition, Philosophy, Examples, Ethics, Philosophers ...
6 days ago · Utilitarianism, in normative ethics, a tradition stemming from the late 18th- and 19th-century English philosophers and economists Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill according to which an …
Utilitarianism - Wikipedia
In ethical philosophy, utilitarianism is a family of normative ethical theories that prescribe actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the affected individuals. [1][2] In other words, utilitarian ideas …
Understanding Utilitarianism: A Guide - Philosophos
Dec 17, 2025 · Utilitarianism is a type of philosophy and ethical theory that focuses on maximizing overall benefit and minimizing harm. This philosophy was first developed in the 18th century by …
The History of Utilitarianism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Mar 27, 2009 · Though the first systematic account of utilitarianism was developed by Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832), the core insight motivating the theory occurred much earlier. That insight is that morally …
Utilitarianism Explained: Key Principles, History, Applications, and ...
Utilitarianism is a philosophical theory of ethics that centers on maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering. At its core, it evaluates actions based on their consequences, aiming to promote the …
Act and Rule Utilitarianism - Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Utilitarianism is a philosophical view or theory about how we should evaluate a wide range of things that involve choices that people face. Among the things that can be evaluated are actions, laws, policies, …
Utilitarianism: What It Is, Founders, and Main Principles
Jun 17, 2025 · Utilitarianism is a theory of morality that supports actions that foster happiness or pleasure. It opposes actions that cause unhappiness or harm. A utilitarian philosophy would aim for …
Utilitarianism - World History Encyclopedia
Feb 19, 2024 · Utilitarianism is a philosophy founded by Jeremy Bentham (1748 to 1832) and then extended by other thinkers, notably John Stuart Mill (1806 to 1873).
What is Utilitarianism? | Utilitarianism.net
Utilitarians want all lives to go as well as possible, counting everyone’s well-being equally. On this view, what matters most is bringing about the best overall consequences by improving the lives of sentient …
Utilitarianism - Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Utilitarianism is a theory about rightness, according to which the only good thing is welfare (wellbeing or ‘utility’). Welfare should, in some way, be maximized, and agents are to be neutral between their own …