What is utilitarianism in simple terms?

Utilitarianism in simple terms is the philosophy that all laws and morally good actions should promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number.

What are three principles of utilitarianism?

Three principles of utilitarianism are happiness is the important measure of laws and actions, all people are equal in this measurement, and laws and ethics have no connection to religious laws.

What are the main criticisms of utilitarianism?

The main criticisms of utilitarianism are that happiness is not the only important consideration of laws and actions, that motivations are not considered, only the consequences of actions, that happiness is difficult to define and measure, and that it may lead to a tyranny of the majority.

Utilitarianism

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Definition

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.

More about: Utilitarianism

Timeline

1726
Francis Hutcheson coins the term "the greatest happiness of the greatest number" in his Inquiry Concerning Moral Good and Evil.
1748 - 1832
Life of the English philosopher and founder of utilitarianism Jeremy Bentham.
1789
Jeremy Bentham publishes his thoughts on utilitarianism in his Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation.
1859
John Stuart Mill publishes his On Liberty.
1863
John Stuart Mill publishes his Utilitarianism.