Utilitarianism is an ethical theory in philosophy, also known as the ethics that define the morality of actions, it was developed by an English philosopher named Jeremy Bentham, and promoted by many other philosophers like John Stuart Mill.
The theory states that the best action is the one making the most overall happiness, or "utility", in reference to usefulness.
Among other statements framing those principals we have,
"The greatest good for the greatest number"
This "greatest happiness principle" states that moral actions are those that maximize utility, or happiness, for the greatest number of people.
Therefore, actions resulting in the greatest pleasure for the utility of society are the best actions.
And here we have the basic principles of utilitarianism:
- Pleasure or Happiness are the only things with Intrinsic value.
- Actions are right if they promote Happiness, and wrong if they produce unhappiness.
- Everyone's Happiness counts equally.
Thereby, the ethical principle that states that remark is:
"the collective utilitarian principle" (b)