utilitarianism
noun
util·i·tar·i·an·ism
(ˌ)yü-ˌti-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 
1
: a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences
specifically
: a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest number
2
: utilitarian character, spirit, or quality
Examples of utilitarianism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The lesson to be learned from the shortcomings of utilitarianism is not that the philosophy should be abandoned, but rather that other values besides maximizing total welfare must also guide behavior.
—
James Broughel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The quant child of Stanford law professors who grew up discussing utilitarianism at the dinner table and blogged during college about the San Francisco Giants, Mr. Bankman-Fried is, in a way, a Michael Lewis character grown in a lab.
—Christopher Beam, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Kondo’s creed may be born of Shinto precepts, but at its core is a very Western utilitarianism.
—Coco Krumme, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023
Crudely put: In utilitarianism, the ends justify the means.
—Sara Harrison, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023
In their account, such reasoning was the fruit of utilitarianism and other modern strains of thought; and the whole Catholic moral enterprise, the basis of the Jesuit education and their own callings as priests and professors, was set against such reasoning.
—Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 27 June 2023
Two key frameworks are utilitarianism and equality of opportunity.
—Anirban Basu, The Conversation, 26 May 2023
Even if his clothes are expensive to make and to purchase, utilitarianism is a core principle not only for the brand but for the clientele: Mediterranean dandies and thoughtful tech bros, uninterested in flashing their fortunes at a time of market anxiety.
—Jon Caramanica, Town & Country, 28 Feb. 2023
True utilitarianism requires a careful balancing of all harms and benefits, in the present and the future, with the patience to do this assessment and the patience to refrain from acting if the amount of suffering and death caused by pushing forward wasn’t clear.
—Christopher Cox, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2023
James Broughel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The quant child of Stanford law professors who grew up discussing utilitarianism at the dinner table and blogged during college about the San Francisco Giants, Mr. Bankman-Fried is, in a way, a Michael Lewis character grown in a lab.
—Christopher Beam, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Kondo’s creed may be born of Shinto precepts, but at its core is a very Western utilitarianism.
—Coco Krumme, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023
Crudely put: In utilitarianism, the ends justify the means.
—Sara Harrison, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2023
In their account, such reasoning was the fruit of utilitarianism and other modern strains of thought; and the whole Catholic moral enterprise, the basis of the Jesuit education and their own callings as priests and professors, was set against such reasoning.
—Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 27 June 2023
Two key frameworks are utilitarianism and equality of opportunity.
—Anirban Basu, The Conversation, 26 May 2023
Even if his clothes are expensive to make and to purchase, utilitarianism is a core principle not only for the brand but for the clientele: Mediterranean dandies and thoughtful tech bros, uninterested in flashing their fortunes at a time of market anxiety.
—Jon Caramanica, Town & Country, 28 Feb. 2023
True utilitarianism requires a careful balancing of all harms and benefits, in the present and the future, with the patience to do this assessment and the patience to refrain from acting if the amount of suffering and death caused by pushing forward wasn’t clear.
—Christopher Cox, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'utilitarianism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Utilitarianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/utilitarianism. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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