Sääntöutilitaristi

Sääntöutilitaristi is a Finnish term referring to a type of utilitarianism. It is the Finnish translation for "rule utilitarianism." Rule utilitarianism is an ethical theory that judges the morality of an action based on whether it adheres to a rule that, if generally followed, would produce the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. This is distinct from act utilitarianism, which assesses each individual action based on its direct consequences.

In rule utilitarianism, the focus is on establishing and following rules that, on average, maximize utility. For example, a rule utilitarian might argue that the rule "do not lie" is morally correct because a society where people generally tell the truth would likely lead to greater overall happiness and well-being than a society where lying is common. Even if a specific instance of lying might produce a good outcome in the short term, a rule utilitarian would still condemn it if it violates a rule that, in the long run, promotes the greatest good.

Key proponents of rule utilitarianism include philosophers like Richard Brandt and John Smart. The theory attempts to address some of the perceived weaknesses of act utilitarianism, such as the potential for seemingly unjust or counterintuitive actions to be justified if they produce the best outcome in a specific situation. Rule utilitarianism seeks to provide a more stable and predictable framework for moral decision-making by emphasizing the importance of general rules and their long-term consequences.