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utilitarianism

u·til·i·tar·i·an·ism [ yoo tìllə térree ə nìzzəm ]


noun 
Definition:
 
1. ethical doctrine of greatest good: the ethical doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the criterion of the virtue of action

2. doctrine based on value of usefulness: the doctrine that the value of an action or an object lies in usefulness

3. utilitarian quality: the quality of being designed primarily for practical use rather than beauty

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