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greatest happiness for the greatest number

Cultural  
  1. The goal that human conduct, laws, and institutions should have, according to utilitarianism.


Example Sentences

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They argued that we act morally when our actions produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Utilitarians argue that conduct is morally right if it promotes the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Both Mr. Bankman-Fried’s parents are Stanford Law School professors who have studied utilitarianism, an ethical framework that calls for decisions calculated to secure the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

From New York Times • May 14, 2022

Moreover, it is a most pleasure-yielding occupation, and, amongst London anglers at least, furnishes, it cannot be denied, the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

From Lines in Pleasant Places Being the Aftermath of an Old Angler by Senior, William

Bentham's name is particularly associated with the dictum, "the greatest happiness for the greatest number."

From Human Traits and their Social Significance by Edman, Irwin