Review:
Utilitarianism By John Stuart Mill
overall review score: 4.5
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score is between 0 and 5
Utilitarianism is a moral and ethical theory originally developed by Jeremy Bentham and later refined by John Stuart Mill. It posits that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or pleasure and minimizes pain or suffering.
Key Features
- Focus on maximizing overall happiness
- Consideration of consequences in decision making
- Promotion of the greatest good for the greatest number
- Emphasis on utility as the ultimate measure of right and wrong
Pros
- Promotes the well-being of the majority
- Provides a clear framework for ethical decision-making
- Emphasizes the importance of consequences in moral judgments
Cons
- May overlook individual rights or values
- Difficulties in measuring and comparing different types of happiness
- Criticism of reducing morality to a simple calculation