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Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a philosophical school of thought that has as its fundamental tenet the idea that the end purpose of all human conduct should be the attainment of the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest possible number of people. It is sometimes referred to as a more modern version of the ancient ethical theory of Hedonism, although Utilitarianism, in various manifestations, has made important distinctions between pleasure and happiness, and between personal happiness and group happiness.

Utilitarianism was first promoted by the English intellectual Jeremy Bentham in the eighteenth century, but was brought to more prominence by John Stuart Mill, godson of Bentham and author of the book titled Utilitarianism in which their ideologies were explained, and which also stated that the pursuit of happiness should be directed towards the cultural and spiritual as opposed to the merely physical. It is a view that is not necessarily shared by modern day utilitarians. It is also interesting to note that the classic form of utilitarianism as practiced by Bentham and Mill was deeply influential to most subsequent forms consequentialism.

Web Resources On Utilitarianism

CE: Utilitarianism
Wikipedia: Utilitarianism

Book Resources On Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism: For and Against by J. J. C. Smart, Bernard Williams
Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill, Roger Crisp

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