utilitarianism

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: u=til=i=tar=i=an=ism

CIDE DICTIONARY

utilitarianism, n. 

•  The doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the end and aim of all social and political institutions.  Bentham.  [1913 Webster]
•  The doctrine that virtue is founded in utility, or that virtue is defined and enforced by its tendency to promote the highest happiness of the universe.  J. S. Mill.  [1913 Webster]
•  The doctrine that utility is the sole standard of morality, so that the rectitude of an action is determined by its usefulness.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

utilitarianism, n.
1 the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority.
2 the doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct.

ROGET THESAURUS

utilitarianism

Utility

N utility, usefulness, efficacy, efficiency, adequacy, service, use, stead, avail, help, applicability, subservience, function, value, worth, money's worth, productiveness, cui bono, utilization, step in the right direction, common weal, commonwealth public good, public interest, utilitarianism, useful, of use, serviceable, proficuous, good for, subservient, conducive, subsidiary, advantageous, profitable, gainful, remunerative, worth one's salt, valuable, prolific, adequate, efficient, efficacious, effective, effectual, expedient, applicable, available, ready, handy, at hand, tangible, commodious, adaptable, of all work, usefully, pro bono publico.