word
utilitarianism
yoo-til-ih-TAIR-ee-uh-niz-um
juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛːrɪənɪzəmListen
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Syllable breakdown
utilitarianism
Sounds like
Say 'yoo-til-ih-TAIR-ee-uh-niz-um'.
Dictionary meaning
The ethical theory that the best action is the one that maximises overall happiness or utility.
History and origin
Latin — 'utilitas' (usefulness) — developed by Jeremy Bentham and J.S. Mill.
Examples
- Utilitarianism would judge the policy by whether it produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
Common mispronunciations
yoo-TIL-ih-tair-ee-uh-niz-umyoo-til-ih-tair-ee-AN-iz-um
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