utilitarianism
/ˌjuːtɪlɪˈteəriənɪzəm/
the doctrine that actions are right if they benefit the majority
utilitarianism in a sentence
“Utilitarianism weighs the greatest good for the greatest number.”
Origin of utilitarianism
Latin utilitas usefulness from utilis useful from uti to use + -ism
Related Words
relativism
the doctrine that knowledge and truth exist only in relation to culture or society
rationalism
a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge
idealism
the practice of forming or pursuing ideals, especially unrealistically
epistemology
the theory of knowledge, especially regarding methods and validity
ontology
the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being
metaphysics
the branch of philosophy dealing with first principles and the nature of reality