Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is a foundational work in moral philosophy by John Stuart Mill. In it, Mill explains and defends the ethical theory of utilitarianism, originally developed by Jeremy Bentham, while refining it in a more sophisticated form. The central idea is that the morality of actions depends on their consequences, specifically whether they increase overall happiness and reduce suffering. Mill argues that the “greatest happiness principle” should guide both personal ethics and public policy.