Background for utilitarianism
BeDict Logo

utilitarianism

/juːˌtɪlɪˈteəriənɪzəm/ /juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛəriənɪzəm/

Meanings
noun
A system of ethics based on the premise that something's value may be measured by its usefulness.

Examples :

"The city council's decision to build a new road prioritizing easy commuting for the most people reflected a philosophy of utilitarianism. "
philosophy moral value system doctrine
noun
The theory that action should be directed toward achieving the "greatest happiness for the greatest number of people" (hedonistic universalism), or one of various related theories.

Examples :

"The school principal's decision to shorten recess to allow for more classroom time reflected a kind of utilitarianism: she believed it would benefit more students academically, even if it made recess less enjoyable for everyone. "
philosophy theory moral value action

Related Words

Illustration something

something noun

/ˈsamθɪŋ/ /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

An object whose nature is yet to be defined.

"My friend told me there was something in the box, but I didn't know what it was yet. "

Illustration universalism

universalism noun

/ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəlˌɪzəm/ /ˌjuːnəˈvɝsəlˌɪzəm/

The state of being universal; universality.

"The belief in universalism suggests that basic human rights should apply to everyone, regardless of their nationality or culture. "

Illustration achieving

achieving verb

/əˈtʃiːvɪŋ/

To succeed in something, now especially in academic performance.

"Maria is achieving excellent grades in her math class this semester. "

Illustration usefulness

usefulness noun

/ˈjuːsfəlnəs/

The quality or degree of being useful.

"The usefulness of his latest reorganisation has been disputed."

Illustration reflected

reflected verb

/ɹɪˈflɛktɪd/

To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.

"A mirror reflects the light that shines on it."

Illustration hedonistic

hedonistic adjective

/hidəˈnɪstɪk/

Devoted to pleasure; epicurean.

"The student's hedonistic approach to studying focused only on enjoying the subjects they found fun, neglecting the ones they disliked. "

Illustration happiness

happiness noun

/ˈhæpinəs/

The emotion of being happy; joy.

"Seeing her children laugh brought her a great happiness. "

Illustration philosophy

philosophy noun

/fɪˈlɒsəfi/ /fɪˈlɑsəfi/

The love of wisdom.

"My philosophy for dealing with difficult classmates is to listen carefully and try to understand their perspectives. "

Illustration commuting

commuting verb

/kəˈmjuːtɪŋ/ /kəmˈjuːɾɪŋ/

To exchange substantially; to abate but not abolish completely, a penalty, obligation, or payment in return for a great, single thing or an aggregate; to cash in; to lessen

"to commute tithes into rentcharges for a sum; to commute market rents for a premium, to commute daily fares for a season ticket"

Illustration principal

principal noun

/ˈpɹɪnsəpəl/ /ˈpɹɪnsəp̬əl/

The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.

"A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest."

Illustration prioritizing

prioritizing verb

/praɪˈɔːrətaɪzɪŋ/ /praɪˈɑːrətaɪzɪŋ/

To arrange or list a group of things in order of priority or importance.

"She is prioritizing her homework so she can finish the most important assignments first. "

Illustration academically

academically adverb

/ˌæk.əˈdɛm.ɪk.li/

In an academic style or way; from an academic perspective.

"Academically, the football team is counter-productive."