Glossary - Utilitarianism

Principle of Utility/Greatest Happiness

the idea that the choice that brings about the greatest good for the greatest number is the right choice

Deontological

from the Latin for ‘duty’: ethics focused on the intrinsic rightness and wrongness of an action

Teleological

looking to the end results (telos) in order to draw a conclusion about what is right or wrong

Hedonic Calculus

the system for calculating the amount of pain or pleasure calculated

Consequentialism

ethical theories that see morality as driven by the consequences, rather than actions or character of those concerned

Hedonistic

pleasure-driven

Quantitative

focused on quantity (how many, how big, etc)

Qualitative

focused on quality (what kind of thing)

Act Utilitarian

weighs up what to do at each individual occasion

Rule Utilitarian

weighs up what to do in principle in all occasions of a certain kind