Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a philosophical concept that suggests an action should be judged based on its ability to bring the greatest benefit or good for the majority of people. This means that when making decisions, one should always consider how their choices will affect other individuals and society as a whole. The philosophy of utilitarianism has been around since ancient times, but was popularized in the 19th century by British philosopher Jeremy Bentham, who argued that human behavior ought to promote "the greatest happiness for the greatest number".
The basic principle behind utilitarianism is simple: make decisions that produce more benefits than harm overall. It can also be applied to public policy and business decision-making processes, with an emphasis on minimizing costs while maximizing utility (i.e., value). In terms of ethical considerations, it often comes down to weighing up various interests against each other – what will cause the least amount of suffering? What will lead to greater prosperity? Utilitarians believe that moral actions are those which create positive outcomes or maximize pleasure rather than minimize pain; they strive towards creating a balance between short-term gains and long-term sustainability.
At its core, utilitarianism promotes fairness and equality among all members of society by advocating for solutions that yield maximum satisfaction across different groups. It encourages people not only to think about themselves but also to consider how their actions might impact others in both direct and indirect ways – whether through laws/policies or everyday practices such as recycling or volunteering time at a local charity organization. Ultimately, this system provides us with guidance on making difficult ethical decisions without having to resort solely to personal opinion or biased judgement alone – instead of allowing reason/rationality to dictate our behaviour, so we may ultimately achieve the best possible results from our collective efforts.