Outline the important features of utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is an ethical theory based on the principle of utility. Utility states that a right action is one, which produces "the greatest good for the greatest number". The principle was founded by Jeremy Bentham, philosopher and social reformer, he stated "by utility is meant that property of any object whereby it tends to produce benefit; advantage, pleasure, good or happiness or to prevent the happening of mischief, pain, evil or unhappiness". The theory is one of a relativistic and teleological nature and therefore focuses on the idea that an action is deemed good, based on its consequences, not on its motives; it maintains the idea that there are no fixed moral principles. One important feature of Utilitarianism is the Hedonic calculus. Bentham equated utility with happiness or pleasure and the avoidance of pain. He believed that happiness is universally valued, and thus concluded that all humans are hedonists, "Nature has placed us under the sovereign of two masters, pain and pleasure". Bentham created what is known as the hedonic calculus, a purely quantitative means of calculating the happiness produced by a given action; it is measured by the amount of happiness minus the amount of pain. This calculus offered seven elements including intensity, duration. Bentham also proposed the theory of Act Utilitarianism, a form of Utilitarianism stating that wherever possible the principle of utility should be applied, and that an action is deemed good only by the value of its consequences.