utilitarianismn.
/ˌjuːtᵻlᵻˈtɛːrɪənɪz(ə)m/, /juːˌtɪlᵻˈtɛːrɪənɪz(ə)m/, /jᵿˌtɪlᵻˈtɛːrɪənɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /juˌtɪləˈtɛriəˌnɪzəm/ Utilitarian doctrine, principles, theories, or practices; spec. in Philosophy, the doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > pragmatism > [noun] > utilitarianism
the greatest happiness of the greatest number1725
greatest happiness principle1822
rule of the greatest happiness1829
utilitarianism1839
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xxxvi. 347 But knockers may be muffled for other purposes than those of mere utilitarianism.
1844 G. S. Faber Sacred Cal. Prophecy (ed. 2) I. ii. i. 202 Intent only upon the present,..men will..devote themselves..to a life..of sordid godless Utilitarianism.
1861 J. S. Mill Utilitarianism (1863) ii. 16 Utilitarianism, therefore, could only attain its end by the general cultivation of nobleness of character.
1878 W. H. Dall On Remains Later Prehist. Man 31 The growth of sentiment (as opposed to savage utilitarianism), which is characteristic of the human mind in all ages.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1839