utilitarianism

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Posted on March 23, 2009 by Neil Many people subscribe to the philosophy of "if it feels good, do it," or its cousin, utilitarianism, which is defined as: the ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility, and that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons (Dictionary. com)

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Definitions (6)

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  1. noun The belief that the value of a thing or an action is determined by its utility.
  2. noun The ethical theory proposed by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill that all action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
  3. noun The quality of being utilitarian: housing of bleak utilitarianism.

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/jutɪlɪˈteɪrɪənɪzm/
by American Heritage

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