Utilitaristisk

Utilitaristisk is a term used in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish to describe something related to utilitarianism, a moral philosophy that evaluates actions by their consequences with the aim of maximizing overall utility or happiness.

The adjective is derived from utilitarism, which in turn traces to Latin utilitas (usefulness, welfare) and the Scandinavian suffix -istisk, used to form descriptive terms. In Nordic languages, utilitaristisk denotes approaches, arguments, or policies aligned with utilitarian thought.

In ethical theory, utilitarianism is typically a form of consequentialism where the right action is the one that yields the greatest overall welfare. Debates distinguish act utilitarianism, which assesses each action individually for its utility, from rule utilitarianism, which evaluates rules that generically promote utility. Variants such as preference utilitarianism focus on fulfilling preferences rather than solely maximizing pleasure.

Utilitaristisk descriptions appear in academic and public discourse when discussing policies, laws, or moral judgments judged by their welfare consequences. Critics contend that utilitarianism can neglect individual rights, be difficult to measure, and raise questions of distributive fairness. Proponents respond by refining how welfare is counted, addressing rights within a utilitarian framework, and designing rules or practices that promote overall welfare.

Related terms in Nordic languages include utilitarismen (the doctrine) and utilitaristisk as the adjectival form. Key figures associated with the philosophy are Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, whose writings helped develop and defend utilitarian ideas within broader ethical and political theory.