The rational, overriding principle promoted by utilitarianism is the:

Question

The rational, overriding principle promoted by utilitarianism is the:

A. Greatest number principle.
B. Greatest happiness principle.
C. Greatest utility principle.
D. None of the above.

Now my textbook mentions two in this sentence: "The rational, overriding principle promoted by utilitarianism is thus the principle of utility or greatest happiness principle, which holds that..."

So it can be either B. or C. But when it talks about C - utility, it doesn't have the word "greatest" in front of it. Therefore, I think it may be B.

This one is so confusing.

Answer 1

Thanks for including the passage from your textbook.

I agree that the answer is B.

Answer 2

You're on the right track with your reasoning! The rational, overriding principle promoted by utilitarianism is indeed the principle of utility, which is also known as the greatest happiness principle.

The confusion arises because the sentence mentions both "the principle of utility" and "the greatest happiness principle" as terms used to describe the same idea. In this context, they are interchangeable.

So, the correct answer to the question is B. The greatest happiness principle.