التعريف

An old philosophical approach in moral studies which was started by Greek intellectuals, particularly sophists. These looked at the individual and gave particular attention to the individual and what he feels, making man the judge of all things. They considered happiness to be the criterion to distinguish between good and evil. Whatever gives a person happiness is good and whatever does not or causes pain is evil. In the modern era, this approach has developed so as to speak of common happiness that applies to the largest possible number of people. It is termed as general or public utility. This is what is expressed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.