Utilitarianism

Definition

Utilitarianism is a theory in philosophy about right action. It states that the best action is the one that maximizes overall "happiness". This happiness is often defined as the balance of pleasure over pain.

Related terms

Ethics: The branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior.

Consequentialism: A class of normative ethical theories that holds that the consequences of one's conduct are the ultimate basis for any judgment about the rightness or wrongness of that conduct.

Hedonism: The school of thought which argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good. In very simple terms, a hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure (pleasure minus pain).