utilitarianism

u·til·i·tar·i·an·ism

U u

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [yoo-til-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uh m]
- /yuˌtɪl ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm/
- /ˌjuː.tɪ.lɪˈteə.ri.ə.nɪ.zəm/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [yoo-til-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uh m]
- /yuˌtɪl ɪˈtɛər i əˌnɪz əm/

Definitions of utilitarianism word

noun utilitarianism the ethical doctrine that virtue is based on utility, and that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons. 1
noun utilitarianism belief in value of usefulness 1
uncountable noun utilitarianism Utilitarianism is the idea that the morally correct course of action is the one that produces benefit for the greatest number of people. 0
noun utilitarianism the doctrine that the morally correct course of action consists in the greatest good for the greatest number, that is, in maximizing the total benefit resulting, without regard to the distribution of benefits and burdens 0
noun utilitarianism the theory that the criterion of virtue is utility 0
noun utilitarianism the doctrine that the worth or value of anything is determined solely by its utility 0

See all 10 definitions of utilitarianism

Information block about the term

Origin of utilitarianism

First appearance:

before 1820

One of the 38% newest English words

First recorded in 1820-30; utilitarian + -ism

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Utilitarianism

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Utilitarianism

utilitarianism popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 65% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

utilitarianism usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for utilitarianism

noun utilitarianism

categorical imperative — (in the ethics of Kant) the unconditional moral principle that one's behaviour should accord with universalizable maxims which respect persons as ends in themselves; the obligation to do one's duty for its own sake and not in pursuit of further ends
desirability — worth having or wanting; pleasing, excellent, or fine: a desirable apartment.
golden rule — a rule of ethical conduct, usually phrased “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” or, as in the Sermon on the Mount, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so unto them.” Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31.
heterodoxy — heterodox state or quality.
materialism — preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.

All 9 Synonyms of utilitarianism

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