The history of utilitarianism

Abstract

Utilitarianism is one of the most powerful and persuasive approachesto normative ethics in the history of philosophy. Though notfully articulated until the 19th century, proto-utilitarianpositions can be discerned throughout the history of ethicaltheory., Though there are many varieties of the view discussed,utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the morally rightaction is the action that produces the most good. There are manyways to spell out this general claim. One thing to note is thatthe theory is a form of consequentialism: the right action isunderstood entirely in terms of consequences produced. Whatdistinguishes utilitarianism from egoism has to do with the scope ofthe relevant consequences. On the utilitarian view one ought tomaximize the overall good - that is, consider the good of othersas well as one’s own good., The Classical Utilitarians, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill,identified the good with pleasure, so, like Epicurus, were hedonistsabout value. They also held that we ought to maximize the good,that is, bring about ’the greatest amount of good for thegreatest number’., Utilitarianism is also distinguished by impartiality andagent-neutrality. Everyone’s happiness counts thesame. When one maximizes the good, it is the goodimpartially considered. My good counts for no more thananyone else’s good. Further, the reason I have to promotethe overall good is the same reason anyone else has to so promote thegood. It is not peculiar to me., All of these features of this approach to moral evaluation and/ormoral decision-making have proven to be somewhat controversial andsubsequent controversies have led to changes in the Classical versionof the theory.