utilitarianism
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for utilitarianism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The ethical theory that the right action is the one producing the greatest overall happiness or wellbeing for the greatest number of people, judged by its consequences rather than by rules or intentions.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The ethical theory that the right action is the one producing the greatest overall happiness or wellbeing for the greatest number of people, judged by its consequences rather than by rules or intentions.
“Under strict utilitarianism, a policy that harms a few is justified if it benefits far more.”
Opposites
2. noun
An emphasis on usefulness and practical results over beauty, tradition or other considerations.
“The grim utilitarianism of the new housing blocks made no allowance for beauty.”
How to Use Utilitarianism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Formal and academic in the ethical sense; the second sense is often mildly disapproving.
Etymology
From utility, ultimately from Latin utilis 'useful', with the suffix -arianism forming the name of a doctrine.
Full origin of utilitarianism →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between utilitarianism and deontology?
Utilitarianism judges an action by its consequences, asking how much overall wellbeing it produces. Deontology judges it by whether it follows a moral rule or duty, regardless of outcome. A deontologist would say lying is wrong even when it saves a life; a utilitarian would weigh the lives saved.
What is the difference between act and rule utilitarianism?
Act utilitarianism assesses each individual action by the happiness it produces. Rule utilitarianism asks which general rules would produce the most happiness if everyone followed them, then judges actions by those rules. Rule utilitarianism is often used to explain why promise-keeping matters even when breaking a promise would help in one case.
What are the main criticisms of utilitarianism?
That it can justify serious harm to a minority if the majority gains, that happiness is very difficult to measure and compare between people, and that it demands impartiality so extreme it leaves no room for special obligations to your own family and friends.