Utilitarianism and Other EssaysAlan Ryan's anthology provides the perfect introduction to an enormously significant philosophical movement, aiming for "the greatest happiness for the greatest number" One of the most important nineteenth century schools of thought, Utilitarianism propounds the view that the value or rightness of an action rests in how well it promotes the welfare of those affected by it, aiming for 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number'. Jeremy Bentham