Communitarianism vs. Utilitarianism — What's the Difference?

Communitarianism is a philosophy that emphasizes the connection between the individual and the community. Its overriding philosophy is based upon the belief that a person's social identity and personality are largely molded by community relationships, with a smaller degree of development being placed on individualism.

Utilitarianism is a family of normative ethical theories that prescribe actions that maximize happiness and well-being for all affected individuals. Although different varieties of utilitarianism admit different characterizations, the basic idea behind all of them is to in some sense maximize utility, which is often defined in terms of well-being or related concepts.

(ethics) The group of doctrines that oppose excessive individualism in favour of a more community-based approach

The belief that the value of a thing or an action is determined by its utility.

The ethical theory proposed by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill that all action should be directed toward achieving the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

The quality of being utilitarian

(philosophy) A system of ethics based on the premise that something's value may be measured by its usefulness.

(philosophy) The theory that action should be directed toward achieving the "greatest happiness for the greatest number of people" (hedonistic universalism), or one of various related theories.

The doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the end and aim of all social and political institutions.

The doctrine that virtue is founded in utility, or that virtue is defined and enforced by its tendency to promote the highest happiness of the universe.

The doctrine that utility is the sole standard of morality, so that the rectitude of an action is determined by its usefulness.

Doctrine that the useful is the good; especially as elaborated by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill; the aim was said to be the greatest happiness for the greatest number