What Is Utilitarianism?

What Is Utilitarianism?

Let me explain utilitarianism directly: it's a theory of morality that backs actions fostering happiness or pleasure, while opposing those causing unhappiness or harm. When you apply a utilitarian philosophy to social, economic, or political decisions, you're aiming for the betterment of society as a whole.

In essence, utilitarianism says an action is right if it results in happiness for the greatest number of people in a society or group. That's the core idea you need to grasp.

Key Takeaways

Utilitarianism promotes the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people, and when used for sociopolitical purposes, its ethics target the betterment of society overall. It's a reason-based approach to figuring out right and wrong, though it comes with limitations—it doesn't account for feelings, emotions, culture, or justice. Keep that in mind as we dive deeper.

Understanding Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a tradition of ethical philosophy linked to Jeremy Bentham (1747-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), two British philosophers, economists, and political thinkers. The theory states that an action is right if it tends to promote happiness, and wrong if it produces sadness or the opposite of happiness for everyone affected.

You might see utilitarianism in action at work when you take steps to make the office a positive environment for your co-workers, and in turn, for yourself. Remember, 'the greatest good for the greatest number' is a key maxim of utilitarianism.

3 Generally Accepted Principles of Utilitarianism

First, pleasure or happiness is the only thing with intrinsic value, meaning it's good in itself, unlike instrumental value where something serves as a means to an end. Second, actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they promote unhappiness—this is controversial because it judges morality solely by consequences, ignoring whether motives are immoral as long as benefits are maximized for the most people; most would argue motive matters, but utilitarianism doesn't.

Third, everyone's happiness counts equally, which was radical in Bentham's time when some lives were seen as more valuable; this makes governments responsible for policies benefiting all equally, not just the elite.

The Founders of Utilitarianism

Jeremy Bentham outlined his 'greatest happiness principle' in his 1789 publication 'Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation,' where he wrote that nature places mankind under pain and pleasure as sovereign masters to guide what we ought to do and what we will do.

John Stuart Mill, having absorbed Bentham's ideas, published his own 'Utilitarianism' in 1863, stating that actions are right if they promote happiness—defined as pleasure and absence of pain—and wrong if they produce the reverse.

Utilitarianism's Relevance in a Political Economy

The founders of utilitarianism have influenced variants in liberal democracies, grappling with questions like what constitutes the greatest good, how to define happiness, and how to accommodate justice. In Western democracies, policymakers favor free markets with some government interference for safety and security, always debating the right level of regulation, but policies aim to foster well-being for as many as possible.

Politicians often seek remedies for disadvantaged groups hit by income inequality or negative outcomes from utilitarian policies.

Utilitarianism's Relevance in the Workplace

Companies usually have a formal or informal code of ethics shaped by their culture, values, and local laws, and today, a formalized code is more crucial than ever. To grow, a business must boost its bottom line but also build a reputation for social responsibility, keeping promises and putting ethics on par with profits—consumers want trustworthy companies, and employees perform better with solid ethics in place.

If you make morally correct decisions at work, everyone's happiness increases, but choosing something morally wrong, even if legal, decreases happiness for you and your colleagues.

Utilitarianism's Relevance in Business

Utilitarianism holds that the most ethical choice produces the greatest good for the greatest number, and it's the only framework justifying military force or war. It's the most common approach to business ethics because it weighs costs and benefits. There are two types: rule utilitarianism, which helps the largest number using the fairest methods, and act utilitarianism, which makes the most ethical actions for people's benefit.

Rule Utilitarian Ethics

Take tiered pricing in business, like airline seats: first and business class charge more for amenities, while economy is affordable, benefiting the most people overall, and the airline eases its financial burden too.

Act Utilitarian Ethics

An example is pharmaceutical companies releasing approved drugs with minor side effects, as they help more people than they harm, showing how the end justifies the means.

Quantitative Utilitarianism vs. Qualitative Utilitarianism

Quantitative utilitarianism, from Bentham, focuses on maximizing overall happiness using a hedonic approach, measuring right and wrong by the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Qualitative utilitarianism, from Mill, categorizes pleasures and pains by quality, disregarding quantity, arguing mental ones are superior to physical.

Qualitative sees mental pleasures as different in kind and better, while quantitative sees them differing only in quantity.

The Limitations of Utilitarianism

Achieving utilitarian ethics in the workplace is tough in a capitalistic culture that pushes self-focus or monopolistic competition at others' expense. It creates a black-and-white morality with no gray areas—something is right or wrong based on outcomes.

You can't predict future consequences with certainty, and it struggles with values like justice and individual rights; for instance, harvesting organs from one healthy person to save four might seem to produce the greatest good, but few would call it ethical.

What Are the Principles of Utilitarianism?

Utilitarianism advocates improving life by increasing good things and minimizing bad, striving for pleasure and happiness while avoiding discomfort or unhappiness.

What Is a Utilitarian?

A utilitarian holds these beliefs and might seem cold, calculating, practical, or selfish, seeking personal pleasure sometimes at the expense of social good.

What Is Utilitarian Value in Consumer Behavior?

It's when a consumer buys something purely for practical use, based on calculative evaluation, without emotional or sentimental biases.

What Is the Role of Utilitarianism in the Business Environment?

It argues for the greatest good for the greatest number, so a business should increase others' welfare, though in practice, it can lead to greed and competition undermining social good.

The Bottom Line

Utilitarianism provides a simple method for deciding morally correct actions in any situation, refined over years with variations describing benefits in terms of preferences or economic terms rather than just happiness and pleasure.