APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. an ethical theory based on the premise that the good is to be defined as that which brings the greatest amount or degree of happiness; thus, an act is considered moral if, compared to possible alternatives, it provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people. The doctrine is often reduced to the single maxim: The greatest good for the greatest number. The classical formulation of utilitarianism is that of British jurist and philosopher Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832), especially as championed by James Mill and popularized by John Stuart Mill. Utilitarianism is heavily influenced by hedonism and eudemonism; it also shares with behaviorism the notion that the fundamental motive for action is pleasure or benefit. Because it rejects the idea that actions may be intrinsically good or bad, irrespective of their consequences, and can provide no objective means of calculating the amount of happiness that derives from particular actions, utilitarianism is in practice a species of ethical relativism. Compare natural law theory. —utilitarian adj.