Description: The utilitarian approach is a decision-making framework that focuses on maximizing overall happiness or utility. This approach is based on the premise that actions should be evaluated based on their consequences, seeking the greatest benefit for the largest number of people. In this sense, utilitarianism promotes the idea that decisions should be guided by the pursuit of collective well-being, prioritizing outcomes that generate the highest possible satisfaction. This approach is characterized by its pragmatism and its ability to adapt to different contexts, allowing decision-makers to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of various options. Additionally, utilitarianism is grounded in ethical principles that seek to balance individual and collective interests, making it a valuable tool in applied ethics, economics, and politics. Its relevance lies in its ability to provide a clear and measurable criterion for evaluating actions and policies, facilitating the identification of solutions that benefit society as a whole.
History: The utilitarian approach originated in the 18th and 19th centuries, with philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill as its main proponents. Bentham, in his work ‘An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation’ (1789), proposed that the morality of an action is determined by its ability to generate pleasure or avoid pain. Mill, in turn, expanded on these ideas in ‘Utilitarianism’ (1863), emphasizing the importance of the quality of pleasures. Over time, utilitarianism has evolved and been subject to criticism and revisions, adapting to contemporary contexts and ethical debates.
Uses: The utilitarian approach is used in various fields, including ethics, economics, politics, and business decision-making. In ethics, it is applied to evaluate the morality of actions and policies, seeking to maximize social welfare. In economics, it is used to analyze resource efficiency and the distribution of goods. In politics, it helps formulate public policies that benefit the majority. In the business realm, it is employed to make strategic decisions that optimize outcomes and satisfy stakeholders.
Examples: A practical example of the utilitarian approach can be observed in the formulation of public health policies, where the costs and benefits of interventions are evaluated to maximize the health of the population. Another case is business decision-making, such as implementing sustainable practices that, while they may have a high initial cost, generate long-term benefits for society and the environment. In the realm of ethics, utilitarianism is applied in debates about the legalization of certain practices, such as drug use, where the effects on society as a whole are weighed.
