Utilitarian Philosohy

s happiness of the greater number. Utilitarianism is an economic, political, ethical and philosophical thought which is the base of the modern society in which we live. Utilitarianism takes its origin in France with the Theory of the "laissez-faire" which the Physiocrats developed in the second half of the 18th century. The "laissez-faire" consists of an economic liberalism asking for the non-intervention of the State in the commercial and industrial affairs. This constitutes the economic aspect of this need of freedom
Utilitarianism also advocates the happiness of the individual and the group of individual, which constitutes the society. And this constitutes the ethical and social aspect of this need of freedom and independence. A socio-economical liberalism is then born. This liberalism is not only economic, it is also political, social and ethical, meaning that we take into account the individual, each individual and each individual's happiness, just as much as the happiness of the group in which each individual evolves. Of this liberalism, is born two currents, which we find nearly in all Europe: a social liberalism (socialism) and an economical liberalism (capitalism). Utilitarianism closer to economical liberalism than social liberalism because in this period in which utilitarianism begins, the British Empire is at the top of its power.