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Problem

Utilitarianism: Maximizing the Good The central claim of utilitarianism is that the morality of an action depends on its consequences. An act is right if it produces the greatest amount of happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people. This framework provides a clear and impartial standard for judgment: we do not privilege our own interests over others, nor do we appeal to cultural traditions or divine commands. For Jeremy Bentham, happiness is reducible to pleasure and absence of pain. John Stuart Mill refined this, distinguishing higher and lower pleasures, arguing that intellectual and moral pleasures are superior to mere physical satisfaction. Modern utilitarian thinkers extend the idea to global issues such as poverty reduction, animal welfare, and climate policy. Get the instant assignment help. The power of utilitarianism lies in its universality: every person's happiness counts equally. Critics argue, however, that the very clarity of utilitarianism comes at the cost of ignoring the complexity of moral life, especially individual rights and duties. Still, utilitarian reasoning shapes much contemporary debate because it offers a systematic way to compare outcomes and make collective choices. According to utilitarianism, what makes an action morally right?