What Is Utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is the direction in ethics (ethical theory), according to which the moral value of an act is determined behavior or its usefulness. Utilitarianism is a new term introduced in general use; Mill should be considered a chief representative of the direction, denoted by the term Utilitarianism. Mill had predecessors mainly in Russian philosophical literature. If some historians consider it possible to talk about utilitarianism in antiquity, this is explained by mixing two concepts: utilitarianism and eudemonism, i.e., theories built on the concepts of use and enjoyment. The culprit of this confusion is the same Mill, who wished, in opposition of his main views, to make use of the concept as the main principle of ethics, a sign of enjoyment. Mixing the ethical views of Epicurus with the views of Bentham, Mill and its system try to associate with Epicurean. It is identified in Plato's dialogue "Protagoras", with good use; but Socrates cannot be called a utilitarian, utilitarianism because it is only one of the defining moments of the concept of good and, besides, in the "Protagoras" definition Socrates is perhaps only in dialectical reception dispute with the Sophists.
What are its ethical principles?
A system of moral and ethical principles contained in virtually all existing religions. Usually it includes two parts: instructions on how to behave in certain circumstances, and prohibitions cannot do under any circumstances. In various religions, these systems worked more or less detail, regulating all human life or some of its side. Sometimes moral and ethical principles in different religions are not the same and even contradict each other. However, a much more familiar with them suggests a single source of origin. For example, the well-known so-called golden rule: "Do not do to others what you do not want to cause you," or in other terms: "How do you want to bring with you into others, so do you also to them. This rule in one form or another is contained not only in Christianity, but also in many other religions and doctrines. It also used the German philosopher Immanuel Kant in the development of his famous categorical imperative. This rule goes back to Zoroaster, and possibly to the more ancient prophets, as the main task of Zoroaster was back to the original teachings of the origins.
