Utilitarianism

Abstract

Utilitarianism has been an influential, widely held and challenging moral and political theory over at least the last two centuries. Utilitarianism claims, first, that what is good is utility, which utilitarians variously define as pleasure or happiness or the satisfaction of desires or of interests. It then claims, second, that morality is concerned with maximizing utility, that is, happiness or welfare. Whichever way the good is defined, utilitarianism holds that it is rational to maximize it. Utilitarianism claims that the fundamental principle of morality is that the right action or rule is the one that would maximize utility. In calculating which actions or rules would maximize utility, the utility of everyone affected must be taken into account and treated equally. Benefits to some may outweigh harms to others. For utilitarianism, then, whether an action, policy, rule or institution is right or wrong depends on whether its overall consequences are good or bad for all affected. That which has the best consequences is right.