What does Utilitarianism mean, from a philosophical perspective?
Utilitarianism is an ethical principle usually attributed to the philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Its basis is very simple: that which brings pleasure is Good; that which causes pain is Bad. To put it another way, the ends justify the means — if an act ultimately brings pleasure or happiness, then the act itself must therefore be ethical. According to utilitarianism, one should consider the possible consequences of an act, but one can’t necessarily know whether the act is Good or Bad until the ultimate consequences are revealed in the future.
