How does utilitarianism use happiness or pleasure as a moral standard?

Utilitarianism is a form of teleological ethics that evaluates the morality of an action based on its consequences, specifically its ability to maximize happiness or pleasure and minimize pain.123

The Hedonistic Standard

Early utilitarians like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill were hedonists, viewing pleasure and the absence of pain as the only intrinsic values. Under this framework, an action is considered morally right if it increases the net surplus of pleasure over pain for everyone affected. Bentham proposed a "hedonic calculus" to sum these units of pleasure and pain, asserting that "each to count for one, and none for more than one".14

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Approaches

While Bentham focused on the quantity of pleasure, Mill introduced qualitative distinctions, arguing that some pleasures are intrinsically superior to others. This allowed utilitarians to prioritize higher intellectual or moral experiences over mere sensual satisfaction.56

Ultimately, utilitarianism serves as a moral standard by demanding that agents act to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number, prioritizing the collective well-being over individual interests.43