What is Utilitarianism? | John Stuart Mill on Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is one of the most famous ethical theories out there, but this fame has also led to a lot of misunderstanding. Thankfully, John Stuart Mill, one of the major proponents of utilitarianism, has a fairly concise essay that explains what utilitarianism is and isn't.
Arguably the most important factor of utilitarianism is the Greatest Happiness Principle, first brought up by fellow utilitarian Jeremy Bentham. This principle, according to Mill, holds that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness."
Reading through Mill's essay, it's clear that our pursuit of happiness and avoidance of pain is foundational to utilitarianism as it has been for other ethical philosophers such as Epicurus. #philosophy #ethics #utilitarianism

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