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What is utilitarianism?
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Quick answer
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that judges actions by their consequences: the right choice is the one that produces the greatest overall well-being or happiness for the most people. It is a leading form of consequentialist ethics. An action is judged good if it maximizes total happiness or well-being and minimizes suffering.
Key things to understand
- An action is judged good if it maximizes total happiness or well-being and minimizes suffering.
- It's consequentialist — outcomes matter, not the action's intrinsic nature.
- Its founders include Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in the 18th–19th centuries.
- A common criticism: it can seem to justify harming a few if it benefits the many.
- Its logic is widely used in policy and economics, where costs and benefits are weighed.
People also ask
What's the main criticism of utilitarianism?
That focusing only on total outcomes can justify unfair or harmful acts against individuals — like sacrificing one person to benefit many — clashing with ideas of rights and justice.
How is utilitarianism used in real decisions?
Its logic underlies cost-benefit analysis in public policy, healthcare resource allocation, and economics, where the aim is the greatest good for the greatest number.
What's the difference between act and rule utilitarianism?
Act utilitarianism judges each act by its consequences; rule utilitarianism follows rules that generally produce the best outcomes, even when breaking one might help in a specific case.