Act and Rule Utilitarianism

Act utilitarianism evaluates each individual action based on whether it maximizes happiness or reduces suffering. It considers the specific context of each situation, and the best action is the one that produces the greatest good at that moment. Rule utilitarianism, on the other hand, focuses on following general rules that, when consistently followed, tend to promote overall happiness. Instead of judging each act individually, it believes adherence to these rules leads to better long-term outcomes. Both aim to promote well-being, but act utilitarianism is situational, while rule utilitarianism emphasizes the importance of consistent principles.