utilitarianism
/ˌjuː.tɪ.lɪˈteə.ri.ə.nɪ.zəm/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A moral theory that says the best action is the one that brings the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
- The essay explained utilitarianism clearly.
- Utilitarianism looks at results, not intentions.
- Her argument was based on utilitarianism.
Adinary Nuance
Utilitarianism is close to words like pragmatism and practicality, but it is not the same. Pragmatism is about what works in real life, while utilitarianism is a moral idea about doing the most good overall. It is also different from simple selfishness, because it focuses on the group, not one person.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chủ nghĩa vị lợi
- Spanish
- utilitarismo
- Chinese
- 功利主义
- Japanese
- 功利主義
- Korean
- 공리주의
Etymology
Utilitarianism comes from utilitarian, which is based on utility, from Latin utilitas meaning 'usefulness'. The word became common in philosophy in the 19th century.
Common phrases
utilitarianism in ethicsthe principle of utilitarianisma utilitarianism debate
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is utilitarianism a common word in daily English?
- No, it is mainly used in philosophy, academic writing, and formal discussion.
- What is the difference between utilitarianism and pragmatism?
- Pragmatism is about what works. Utilitarianism is about what brings the greatest good.
- Is utilitarianism the same as selfishness?
- No. It aims at the best result for the most people, not just one person.
- How do I use utilitarianism in a sentence?
- Use it as a noun: "The class discussed utilitarianism in moral philosophy."