utilitarianism

util·i·tar·i·an·ism | \ (ˌ)yü-ˌti-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm

How to pronounce utilitarianism (audio)

\

Definition of utilitarianism

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 Opened just in time for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, the Katy Mills store is carefully designed to channel Dickies’ work heritage and utilitarianism, said Perry. — Houston Chronicle, "Dickies picks Katy for its second Houston-area store," 26 Nov. 2019 Unlike in many Western countries where more natural makeup looks are in vogue, women across Arab Gulf countries often lean toward bright, eye-catching makeup trends and accessories that offset the utilitarianism of black veils and abayas. — Washington Post, "For Huda Kattan, beauty has become a billion-dollar business," 14 Oct. 2019 For that reason, film, television, literature, music, and much else is subjected to a standard of social utilitarianism, meaning that they are not judged on aesthetic criteria but for their value as propaganda, moral instruction, or therapy. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "Everybody Is Tipper Gore Now," 6 Oct. 2019 But such stark utilitarianism sits poorly with how most people view the world, because AVs would still cause a lot of deaths. — The Economist, "How do you define “safe driving” in terms a machine can understand?," 10 May 2018 In formal philosophy it is represented by the utilitarianism. — Jeffrey Collins, WSJ, "‘Power, Pleasure, and Profit’ Review: Self-Mastery Versus Self-Interest," 5 Oct. 2018 Conversations with MacAskill often turn to radical utilitarianism and audacious plans to save the world. — Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, "Is Colonizing Mars the Most Important Project in Human History?," 29 June 2018 But their animating philosophy is really utilitarianism: the idea that doing good means maximising the overall level of happiness. — The Economist, "Don’t shrink the role of markets—expand it," 10 May 2018 Stinson notes that many computer scientists have an implicit orientation to utilitarianism, an ethical theory that aims to maximize happiness for the greatest number by adding up each action’s costs and benefits. — Molly Driscoll, The Christian Science Monitor, "‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ turns 50: Why HAL endures," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'utilitarianism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about utilitarianism

Dictionary Entries near utilitarianism

Statistics for utilitarianism

Last Updated

6 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Utilitarianism.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/utilitarianism. Accessed 19 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

intercalate

to insert between existing elements

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.