Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism, in the simplest terms, is a philosophical theory that proposes the best action is the one that maximizes utility. Now, what do we mean by utility? It’s essentially a measure of happiness or pleasure. The idea is that every action should aim to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

History

So, where did this all start? The concept of utilitarianism has roots in ancient history, but it was Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher, who really put it on the map in the late 18th century. Bentham proposed that we could quantify happiness using a calculation he called the “felicific calculus”. Sounds fancy, right?

Types of Utilitarianism

Certainly! Here’s a comparison of the various forms of utilitarianism, formatted with internal links for your Obsidian notes:

Comparison of Utilitarianism Forms

Classical Utilitarianism

• Philosophers: Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill.
• Principle: Maximizes overall happiness or utility.
• Focus: Collective well-being1.

Act Utilitarianism

• Approach: Judges each act individually by its ability to produce happiness.
• Focus: Specific situations1.

Rule Utilitarianism

• Approach: Follows rules that generally lead to the greatest good.
• Focus: Long-term outcomes1.

Negative Utilitarianism

• Principle: Minimizes suffering and negative utility.
• Criticism: May sacrifice individual happiness for reducing suffering2.

Egoistic Utilitarianism

• Principle: Maximizes the utility of the individual.
• Focus: Self-interest2.

Altruistic Utilitarianism

• Principle: Prioritizes the well-being of others over the self.
• Focus: Others’ interests2.

Preference Utilitarianism

• Principle: Maximizes the satisfaction of preferences of all affected.
• Focus: Individual preferences2.

Global Utilitarianism

• Approach: Considers global impacts and long-term effects.
• Focus: Worldwide well-being1.

Hybrid Utilitarianism

• Approach: Combines elements of different utilitarian theories.
• Focus: Contextual best outcomes1.

Criticisms

Like any philosophical theory, utilitarianism isn’t without its critics. Some argue that it’s too demanding, requiring people to always act in a way that maximizes happiness, even if it’s at their own expense. Others say it fails to respect individual rights, as it could justify actions that harm a minority if it benefits the majority.

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