U-tĭl'i-tā'ri-an-ism, n.

n. 1. The doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the end and aim of all social and political institutions. J. Bentham.

2. The doctrine that virtue is founded in utility; or that virtue is defined and enforced by its tendency to promote the highest happiness of the universe.
3. The doctrine that utility is the sole standard of morality, so that the rectitude of an action is indicated and tested by its apparent usefulness.