Write a short note on Utilitarianism.

Utilitarianism is a consequentialist ethical theory founded on the principle of maximizing overall happiness or pleasure. Developed by Jeremy Bentham and later refined by John Stuart Mill, utilitarianism asserts that the morality of an action is determined by its contribution to the greatest happiness for the greatest number of individuals.

Central to utilitarian thought is the concept of the "greatest happiness principle," which posits that actions are right to the extent that they promote happiness and wrong to the extent that they produce unhappiness. Happiness, in the utilitarian context, encompasses pleasure and the absence of pain, and it is considered the ultimate moral goal.

Utilitarianism provides a quantitative approach to ethical decision-making, emphasizing the calculation of pleasure and pain as the basis for determining the morality of actions. Critics argue that this approach may oversimplify complex moral dilemmas, neglecting individual rights or minority interests.

Despite its critiques, utilitarianism has significantly influenced moral philosophy and remains a foundational theory in discussions of ethics and public policy, addressing questions about the greater good, social welfare, and the consequences of actions on human well-being.