Universalism vs. Utilitarianism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 8, 2024
Universalism prioritizes moral principles applicable to all, focusing on rights and duties, while Utilitarianism emphasizes outcomes, gauging actions by their consequences for overall happiness.
Difference Between Universalism and Utilitarianism
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Universalism is grounded in the belief that moral principles are unchanging and apply equally to everyone, advocating that certain actions are right or wrong regardless of the outcomes. It upholds the idea of intrinsic rights and duties that guide moral behavior. On the other hand, Utilitarianism, founded by Jeremy Bentham and further developed by John Stuart Mill, measures the morality of actions by their consequences, particularly in terms of promoting happiness or reducing suffering. It suggests that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility.
While Universalism might advocate for truth-telling or promise-keeping as inherently right, regardless of the consequences, Utilitarianism would evaluate these actions based on their outcomes. If lying or breaking a promise leads to greater overall happiness, Utilitarianism would consider these actions morally justifiable. Universalism, emphasizing moral absolutes, might not condone such flexibility.
In the realm of justice and law, Universalism supports the concept of universal human rights and the idea that certain freedoms and protections should be afforded to all individuals, regardless of the situation. Utilitarianism, however, might support laws and actions that, while potentially infringing on individual rights, lead to the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
Faced with ethical dilemmas, such as the trolley problem, Universalism would typically hold to the principle that it is wrong to actively harm an individual, even if doing so would save more lives. Conversely, Utilitarianism would endorse the action that results in the lesser overall harm or greater overall benefit, even if it means sacrificing one for the many.
Despite their differences, both Universalism and Utilitarianism aim to provide a framework for ethical decision-making. Universalism offers clarity and consistency with its rule-based approach, while Utilitarianism offers flexibility, allowing for the nuances of different situations to influence moral judgments.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Basis of Morality
Moral principles and duties
Consequences of actions
Key Proponents
Immanuel Kant, among others
Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill
Decision-Making Focus
Adherence to universal moral laws
Maximization of happiness/overall utility
Consideration of Rights
Inherent respect for universal rights
Rights considered in light of their utility
Ethical Flexibility
Limited, due to absolute moral standards
High, as actions are judged by their outcomes
Compare with Definitions
Universalism
Advocates for the universal application of human rights.
Universalism supports the idea that freedom of speech should be upheld for everyone.
Utilitarianism
A moral theory that evaluates actions based on their outcomes.
Utilitarianism would justify a lie if it results in greater happiness for more people.
Universalism
A belief in universal moral principles applicable to all humans.
Universalism holds that lying is always wrong, regardless of the situation.
Utilitarianism
Focuses on the collective welfare over individual rights.
Utilitarianism may endorse policies that sacrifice individual freedoms for the greater good.
Universalism
Prioritizes moral consistency and universal applicability.
Universalism maintains that ethical standards should not vary from person to person.
Utilitarianism
Prioritizes the greatest happiness principle.
Utilitarianism seeks actions that maximize overall joy and minimize suffering.
Universalism
Views moral truths as objective and unchanging.
Universalism argues that principles of justice apply at all times.
Utilitarianism
Supports flexibility in moral evaluations based on consequences.
Utilitarianism allows for breaking traditional moral rules if doing so increases happiness.
Universalism
Emphasizes duties and obligations in moral decision-making.
According to Universalism, we have a duty to keep our promises.
Utilitarianism
Measures right and wrong by the amount of utility produced.
In Utilitarianism, an action is moral if it increases the total utility of the affected individuals.
Universalism
Universalism is the philosophical and theological concept that some ideas have universal application or applicability. A belief in one fundamental truth is another important tenet in universalism.
Utilitarianism
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.
Universalism
Universalism The doctrine, held especially by some Christian groups, that all people will eventually be saved.
Utilitarianism
The belief that the value of a thing or an action is determined by its utility.
Universalism
The condition of being universal, as in range or application; universality
The universalism of a signaling system in human cells.
Utilitarianism
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.
Universalism
The belief that a particular theory or religion has universal application and is not limited in scope.
Utilitarianism
The quality of being utilitarian
Housing of bleak utilitarianism.
Universalism
The state of being universal; universality.
Utilitarianism
(philosophy) A system of ethics based on the premise that something's value may be measured by its usefulness.
Universalism
(theology) The belief that all souls can attain salvation.
Utilitarianism
(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.
Universalism
Alternative form of Unitarian Universalism
Utilitarianism
The doctrine that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the end and aim of all social and political institutions.
Universalism
The doctrine or belief that all men will be saved, or made happy, in the future state.
Utilitarianism
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.
Universalism
The theological doctrine that all people will eventually be saved
Utilitarianism
The doctrine that utility is the sole standard of morality, so that the rectitude of an action is determined by its usefulness.
Utilitarianism
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
Common Curiosities
Is Universalism considered more rigid than Utilitarianism?
Yes, Universalism is often seen as more rigid due to its emphasis on unchanging moral principles, unlike the outcome-based flexibility of Utilitarianism.
What is Universalism?
Universalism is the ethical belief in universal moral principles that apply to all individuals, emphasizing inherent rights and duties.
How do Universalism and Utilitarianism differ in their approach to ethics?
Universalism focuses on adhering to universal moral principles, whereas Utilitarianism evaluates the morality of actions based on their consequences.
How does Utilitarianism view individual rights?
Utilitarianism considers individual rights in terms of their utility and how they contribute to overall happiness or reduce suffering.
What is Utilitarianism?
Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that bases morality on the outcomes of actions, specifically their capacity to generate happiness or reduce suffering.
Does Universalism allow for moral exceptions?
Typically, Universalism does not allow for exceptions, as it upholds that moral principles must be universally applicable.
Can a Utilitarian justify breaking a law?
Yes, if breaking the law results in greater overall happiness or utility, Utilitarianism could justify such an action.
How do both theories address ethical dilemmas?
Universalism applies universal principles to resolve ethical dilemmas, while Utilitarianism considers the outcomes to determine the most ethical choice.
What role do consequences play in Universalism?
In Universalism, consequences are less central than in Utilitarianism, with a stronger focus on adhering to moral duties and principles.
Can Universalism and Utilitarianism lead to different moral conclusions?
Yes, due to their differing bases for morality, the two can lead to contrasting conclusions about what constitutes a morally right action.
Why might someone prefer Universalism over Utilitarianism?
Someone might prefer Universalism for its emphasis on moral consistency and the intrinsic value of adhering to universal principles.
What is a major criticism of Utilitarianism?
A major criticism of Utilitarianism is that it can justify morally questionable actions if they are believed to result in a greater overall happiness.
Can Universalism and Utilitarianism be combined in ethical decision-making?
While they have fundamental differences, some ethical frameworks attempt to incorporate aspects of both to address their limitations.
How does Utilitarianism handle moral conflicts?
Utilitarianism resolves moral conflicts by choosing the action that maximizes overall happiness or utility.
Which theory prioritizes the collective welfare over individual rights?
Utilitarianism often prioritizes collective welfare over individual rights if doing so maximizes overall happiness.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Snood vs. Wattle
Next Comparison
Springtime vs. SpringAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
