Utilitarianism

Sample Answer

In my own words, utilitarianism is a way of thinking about what's right or wrong that focuses entirely on the outcomes or consequences of our actions.

The core idea is simple: an action is considered morally right if it leads to the greatest amount of overall happiness, benefit, or well-being for the greatest number of people affected by that action. Conversely, it's wrong if it results in more harm, unhappiness, or suffering.

It's like weighing the pros and cons of a decision, but specifically focusing on the total amount of good (like pleasure, happiness, health) versus bad (like pain, suffering, sadness) that results. The "best" choice is the one that maximizes the net good for everyone involved.