Utilitarianism is a philosophy founded by Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) and then extended by other thinkers, notably John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Utilitarianism involves the greatest happiness principle, which holds that a law or action is good if it promotes the greatest happiness of the greatest number, happiness being defined as the presence of pleasure and the absence of pain.
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Definition
Timeline
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1726Francis Hutcheson coins the term "the greatest happiness of the greatest number" in his Inquiry Concerning Moral Good and Evil.
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1748 - 1832Life of the English philosopher and founder of utilitarianism Jeremy Bentham.
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1789Jeremy Bentham publishes his thoughts on utilitarianism in his Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation.
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1859John Stuart Mill publishes his On Liberty.
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1863John Stuart Mill publishes his Utilitarianism.
