What is Utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is a way to decide if something is good or bad based on how much happiness or sadness it causes. It means we should try to do things that make the most people happy and avoid things that cause too much sadness.
Who Thought of Utilitarianism?
A long time ago, some thinkers named Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill talked about this idea. They said that the best action is the one that helps the greatest number of people feel good.
How Does It Work?
- When you have to make a choice, think about what will happen to everyone.
- Try to pick the option that makes the most people happy or helps the most people.
- If something causes pain or sadness, try to avoid it unless it brings greater happiness overall.
Example:
Imagine you have to choose between sharing your candy with one friend or sharing it with all your classmates. If you share with all your classmates, more people will be happy. So, utilitarianism would say sharing with everyone is the better choice.
Why Is It Important?
Utilitarianism helps us think beyond ourselves and care about others’ feelings. It encourages kindness and fairness by asking, "Will what I do help most people?"