Characterized by or contributing to practical purposefulness and functional serviceability above all else.
Nick, a utilitarian, always tried to choose what would help the greatest number of people, even if it was hard for some. He believed in doing whatever would bring the most good to the most people, even if it meant making tough decisions.
The manager had to lay one person off to save ten jobs. It was a horrible decision, but he was a strict utilitarian, always making the choice that caused the least harm to the group. He hated the outcome, but the well-being of the many came first.
Sarah's brother called himself a utilitarian, always insisting they donate to charities that saved the most lives per dollar. He didn't care about emotional appeals or touching stories. Only the numbers mattered to him. Sarah found his logic cold, but she couldn't argue with wanting to help as many people as possible.
At the party, Kevin called himself a utilitarian, which made everyone confused until he explained that, yes, he was an advocate or adherent of utilitarianism, but mostly he just liked choosing the pizza that made the most people happy—pepperoni, pineapple haters beware!
At my birthday, my brother, a strict utilitarian, insisted on cutting the cake into ten tiny slivers and one giant piece. He explained that since he was the hungriest, this specific action created the most overall joy and happiness in the room. We still ate his piece.
The utilitarian approach to decision-making focuses on maximizing overall happiness and minimizing suffering for the greatest number of people. This means that actions are judged based on their practicality and usefulness in achieving the greatest good for the most people.
At the ethics summit, Dr. Morales emerged as an ardent utilitarian. His unwavering belief in the principle of greatest happiness for the greatest number informed his every argument. The other panelists, largely deontologists, couldn't help but engage in lively debates with the resolute utilitarian, each defending their respective philosophical stances.
The utilitarian ruler sat upon his throne, cold and calculating. His decisions were always made with the greater good in mind, no matter how many lives were sacrificed in the process. The people trembled in fear, knowing that their well-being meant nothing to him. They were merely pawns in his twisted game of power and control. As he looked out over his kingdom, a sinister smile played upon his lips. The utilitarian nature of his reign was evident in every aspect of his rule, leaving a trail of devastation and despair in its wake.
Bruce was a utilitarian. He believed that suffering should be minimized. So when his wife lay dying, ravaged by cancer, he took a pillow and placed it over her face. Tears streamed down his face as her body shuddered for the final time. But he knew, in his utilitarian heart, that he had done the right thing.
In the kingdom of Lumaria, the utilitarian wizards were highly respected for their practical and efficient magic. While other sorcerers focused on flashy displays of power, the utilitarians were known for their ability to create spells that served a specific purpose. They believed in using their magic to benefit the greater good of the kingdom, rather than just for personal gain. The utilitarian wizards were often called upon to solve problems that required a thoughtful and strategic approach. Their dedication to using their powers for the betterment of society made them invaluable members of the magical community.
Jessica argued passionately at dinner, showing herself to be a true utilitarian. She believed choosing whatever benefits the most people is always right. Even when her friends protested that feelings mattered more, the utilitarian insisted happiness for the greatest number should come first.
The general was a firm utilitarian; he insisted that sacrificing one squadron to save the entire division was the only moral choice. The needs of the many, he argued to his staff, must always outweigh the tragic but necessary loss of the few.
Sarah's philosophy professor was a strict utilitarian who judged every moral dilemma by a single question: would it create the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people? Personal feelings and individual rights mattered less to him than the collective good, which frustrated students who believed some actions were simply wrong regardless of their outcomes.
Harold, a staunch utilitarian, once tried to argue at Thanksgiving dinner that the turkey should be given to whoever would enjoy it most, sparking a fierce pie-throwing contest. His grandma, unimpressed by any utilitarian logic, declared the winner to be whoever dodged the dessert with the most dignity.
My father, a notorious utilitarian, canceled my elaborate unicorn cake for my birthday. He calmly explained that a bulk-purchased tray of bland brownies would produce a higher net happiness for all party guests, a conclusion he reached using a disturbingly detailed spreadsheet on dessert allocation.
During the debate, Clara’s arguments stood in stark contrast to those of Lucas, a utilitarian whose unwavering belief in maximizing the happiness of the majority guided his every decision, even when it meant sacrificing his own interests for the collective benefit of those around him.
As a confirmed utilitarian, the CEO’s decision to close the plant was bereft of sentiment. He argued the lamentable job losses for a few hundred were a necessary sacrifice to ensure the solvency and security of the ten thousand other employees across the corporation.
Sarah's philosophy professor was a committed utilitarian, arguing passionately that any action causing the greatest happiness for the most people was morally right, regardless of individual rights or personal autonomy. His unwavering belief that outcomes alone determined ethics made their debates contentious, as Sarah couldn't accept sacrificing one person's welfare for collective benefit.
At dinner parties, Harold, a notorious utilitarian, loudly weighs every appetizer against the collective happiness of the room; he once declined the last deviled egg, declaring, "As an advocate of utilitarianism, I must prioritize maximum gastronomic bliss!" Guests now strategically hide shrimp cocktail when he arrives.
A stalwart utilitarian, Bartholomew eschewed our pleas for palatable canapés. He instead proffered a gargantuan vat of salubrious gruel, callously arguing that its low cost and high nutritional value created the greatest good for the party’s aggregate wellness. We all ordered pizza later.
Normal — Everyday words worth reinforcing.