The Greatest Happiness Principle

The Greatest Happiness Principle is a key idea in utilitarianism, a moral philosophy primarily associated with thinkers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. It suggests that the best actions are those that maximize overall happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. Essentially, when making decisions, one should consider the outcome that will lead to the most happiness and the least suffering for everyone affected. This principle emphasizes the importance of collective well-being over individual interests, encouraging choices that benefit society as a whole rather than just a select few.