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Utilitarianism is the moral principle that the ends justifies means, when the ends adds to the overall general utility. Put in simple terms, utilitarianism says to do anything that provides greater benefits than costs. Killing one person to save ten other lives would be "right" or "moral" under utilitarianism.
Utilitarianism is a hedonistic moral principle that one should act so as to provide the greatest possible happiness (or pleasure) for the greatest number of persons. This usually disregards the pain of the minority.
"Utility" is defined as the good to be maximized. Different thinkers have further defined it as happiness, well-being or pleasure. The idea of utilitarianism as a moral code was first thought up by 18th century reformer and philosopher [[Jeremy Bentham]]. He believed that, "nature has put man under the governance of two sovereign masters: pleasure and pain." Thus, he concluded that good is whatever it is that brings on the greatest happiness. His belief was passed on by others after him. This is in direct conflict with many ideas of Christianity.
Modern criticism of utility includes a discussion of quantification of happiness. How much does certain happiness 'count' when measured against certain pains? Is it acceptable to invade the privacy of one terrorist in order to ensure that he does not attack innocent persons, and do them pain? Utility would say yes. Is it acceptable to kill a suspected terrorist - who might be an innocent civilian - in order to prevent this person from doing theoretical damage to innocent civilians? Based on the argument, utility may also say yes.
This involves what Jeremy Bentham, noted utilitarian, called the hedonistic calculus. One would, according to Bentham, measure the pleasure of certain actions against the pleasure of other actions. For example, would it be more pleasurable to read a philosophy book, or to go out drinking and cavorting? Bentham argued that the philosophy book would create more pleasure in the long run, especially when measured against the pains associated with heavy alcohol intake. This highlights the main issue with the inherent contradictions of hedonism.
Utility has been accused of supporting the idea that the ends justifies means, when the ends adds to the overall general utility. Put in simple terms, utilitarianism says to do anything that provides greater benefits than costs.
"Utility" is defined as the good to be maximized. Different thinkers have further defined it as happiness, well-being or pleasure. The idea of utilitarianism as a moral code was first thought up by 18th century reformer and philosopher [[Jeremy Bentham]]. He believed that, "nature has put man under the governance of two sovereign masters: pleasure and pain." Thus, he concluded that good is whatever it is that brings on the greatest happiness. His belief was passed on by others after him.
[[Category:Philosophy]]
[[Category:Philosophy]]