For the individual to know how to discern the good from the bad deeds, that is, so that he can duly justify his choices, it is necessary to find a general criterion of morality. This criterion is presented by Stuart Mill as follows: <em>"The creed that accepts utility , or Principle of Greater Happiness, as the foundation of morality, argues that actions are right insofar as they tend to promote happiness, and wrong insofar as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. and the absence of pain; unhappily, pain and deprivation of pleasure."
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It is according to this criterion that any useful action becomes legitimate. However, the happiness achieved does not make the utilitarian moral criterion a criterion that fosters selfishness.
Spiritual pleasures are what, according to Mill, provide true happiness. Indeed, utilitarian morality does not exclude altruism and dedication to the other.
According to utilitarian ethics, the principle of greatest happiness establishes that the actions taken must be capable of bringing maximum happiness to the greatest possible number of individuals. Now, maximum happiness for all (humanity) appears as the main objective of utilitarian philosophy.
