UTILITARIAN:
a philosophical movement, often identified with ETHICS, developed by
BENTHAM and popularized by MILL in the nineteenth century based on the BELIEF that what is
important is whether something is of use to people or not. In ethics the utilitarian
principle was developed in terms of promoting "the greatest happiness for the
greatest number." Thus the goodness or any act is to be judged by its consequences in
terms of the principle of utility. The movement had a great impact on nineteenth century
thought promoting SOCIAL and political REFORM and continues to exert considerable
practical influence even today.