According to utilitarian ethics, what is the determining factor for an action to be considered ethical?

In utilitarian ethics, the primary consideration for determining whether an action is ethical is its ability to maximize happiness and minimize pain for the greatest number of people. This ethical framework, which is closely associated with philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, posits that the moral value of an action is judged based on its consequences. An action is deemed ethical if it leads to an overall increase in well-being and a reduction in suffering.

The focus on happiness as a guiding principle reflects a consequentialist approach, which evaluates the rightness or wrongness of actions based solely on their outcomes rather than adherence to predetermined rules, fairness considerations, or societal norms. Therefore, if an action results in the greatest good for the greatest number, it is considered ethical within this framework. This makes maximizing happiness and minimizing pain the cornerstone of utilitarian thought.