utilitarianism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the ethical theory that the best action is the one that produces the greatest overall well-being or happiness

   Classical utilitarianism judges an action by how much overall happiness it produces.

2. 2
   noun

   an emphasis on practical usefulness rather than beauty or other values

   The stark utilitarianism of the office left little room for beauty or comfort.

From utilitarian + -ism. Utilitarian was formed from utility + -arian; utility came through Old French utilite from Latin utilitas ("usefulness"), from utilis ("useful"), related to uti ("to use"). The philosophical noun names theories that evaluate actions chiefly by their consequences for overall welfare.

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