Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the idea that the morality of an action is determined only by its value in providing amusement or delight as summed among all sentient beings. Sentient refers to people who have the ability to have sensations or experiences. It is therefore a form of consequentialism, the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome. The most influential philosophers who focused on this ideology were Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

Utilitarianism has been explained in a number of different ways but most often by the phrase "the greatest good for the greatest number of people" (Bentham), and it is also known as "the greatest happiness principle". Utility is the good to be exploited, it has been defined by various philosophers as being joyful or pleasuring (rather than suffering or pain). It may also be described as a life stance, where happiness and pleasure are of ultimate importance. Utilitarianism can easily be contrasted with deontological ethics, as well as with other varieties of consequentialism.

Mill's essay is divided into five chapters. In these chapters he explains what utilitarianism is and some of the principles used to judge actions. In his second chapter, Mill formulates a single ethical principle, from which he believes all utilitarian ethical principles are derived. This is called the Greatest-Happiness Principle, it states that actions are right in proportion as they long as they promote happiness. Also, actions are wrong if the they seem to produce the opposite of happiness. Most importantly, it is not the agent's own greatest happiness that matters "but the greatest amount of happiness altogether" (Mill). Meaning, happiness for the majority. In fact, according to Mill, utilitarianism can only attain its goal, greater happiness, by "cultivating" the graciousness of individuals so that everyone can benefit from the honour of others. Mill also states utilitarianism is truly a "standard of morality" which uses the happiness of the greater number of people as its fundamental goal.

HIV Alliance wants to make other people's lives happier by preventing the spread of HIV. I believe that from a utilitarian point of view philosophers such as Mill would strongly agree with the Needle exchange program. Mill believes that n order to be truly happy we must focus our attention away from our own personal happiness and towards other objects and ends. For example, doing good for others as does HIC Alliance. The entire program is completely selfless. Most of the people running it do it without being paid. It is simply from the kindness of their own hearts.

























Works Cited:"Bentham, Jeremy." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, (2009): 1.


Braybrooke, David. "The Relation of Utilitarianism to Natural Law Theory." Volume 12, Number 3, 2003, 12.3 (2003): 43-49.


Anomaly, Jonny. "Nietzsche's Critique of Utilitarianism." Issue 29, Spring 2005, 29.1 (2005): 1-15.