Final answer:
Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that prioritizes the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people, as outlined by philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of Utilitarianism
The doctrine that determines moral conduct by its capacity to increase the total amount of satisfaction or happiness for the greatest number of people is known as utilitarianism. Formulated by Jeremy Bentham and further expanded by John Stuart Mill, the Principle of Utility asserts that actions are morally right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce the opposite. This philosophy values not only the pleasures of individuals but equally considers the well-being of all affected by an action or policy. In the context of a society or government, utilitarianism implies that decisions should maximize human happiness and welfare, ultimately seeking the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
Rule utilitarianism, a type of utilitarianism, suggests establishing moral rules based on the greatest happiness principle to guide conduct. These rules should pass a test of maximizing happiness to determine their validity and can be modified as necessary. As such, utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory considering the outcomes of actions as the basis for judging their moral worth. This theory plays a role in various applications, including ethical decision-making in clinical trials and government policy.