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Locke and utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the ethical doctrine which essentially states that that which is good is that which brings about the most happiness to the most people. It is commonly understood as being the hypothesis that assesses and promotes moral actions on the basis of their outcome using the maxim, ‘the greatest happiness for the greatest number.” (Sterba, 122) In simpler terms when faced with a moral choice, the right thing to do- according to Utilitarianism - is that which results in the ‘greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.’ Originally developed as an ethical principle under Jeremy Bentham its original form met many challenges by its opponents. Attacked in every direction for anything from its lack of Christian principles to the selfishness that the pursuit of pleasure seems to promote it soon became clear that Bentham’s form of Utilitarianism needed some serious touchups and ultimately it was John Stuart Mill who was up to the task. Nearly a generation after Ben...

Posted by: Melissa T. Littlefield

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