Utilitarianism, derived from Jeremy Bentham’s idea of utility, means that the correct moral decision is the one that brings about the greatest happiness or benefit to everyone. There is nothing absolute about this theory, and many different interpretations exist. For example, Mill believed that the rights of others must be considered when making moral choices. He also introduced the concept of harm, believing that it was morally wrong to knowingly inflict any damage upon another person. Utilitarianism was influential during the 19th century, as it provided a basis for legal reform and social policy. However, later philosophers began to question whether there were limits to what could be considered a legitimate source of happiness.
John Stuart Mills, whose father was a close friend of Jeremy Bentham, was a passionate advocate for utilitarian social ethics. He believed strongly in both the need for individuals to exercise autonomy and in the value of liberty. His book On Liberty includes one of the first descriptions of what we now call the Harm Principle, which says that action should never be done if it harms others or restricts their ability to act freely. John Mills wrote that the main goal of society should be to achieve maximum happiness and minimum suffering. However, he warned against the tyranny of the majority because majorities often tend to pursue goals that are at odds with those of minorities.
