dutilité

D'utilité is a French term that translates roughly as “of usefulness” or “usefulness.” In general usage, utilité refers to the value, practicality, or benefit provided by something. The expression is common in phrases such as d’utilité publique (of public utility) or d’utilité privée (of private utility).

Etymology roots lie in the Latin utilitas, through Old French utilité. The construction with d’ links a quality to the noun it modifies, for example d’utilité pratique (practical usefulness) or d’utilité sociale (social usefulness or benefit).

In economics and decision theory, utility is a theoretical measure of the satisfaction or preferences that an agent derives from goods and outcomes. French economic writing uses utilité to discuss concepts like utilité marginale (marginal utility) and it's applied in both ordinal and cardinal interpretations of preference, as well as in analyses of consumer choice and welfare.

In philosophy, utilité is closely related to utilitarian ethics, where actions are assessed by the amount of utility or overall welfare they produce. The idea supports calculations or rules aiming to maximize happiness or well-being across a population, though it is often debated how to quantify and compare utility.

In law and public policy, utilité publique designates projects or institutions judged to benefit the community, sometimes permitting state intervention, regulation, or expropriation to achieve public ends. The concept underpins infrastructure planning, public services, and the justification for certain regulatory measures.

See also: utilitarianism, utility, d’utilité publique.