ABSTRACT
In some shape or form utilitarianism is as old as the written record of moral philosophy. It has been argued, albeit not very successfully, that Plato was a utilitarian in the Republic. Confusion is still possible between three kinds of utilitarianism. First, there is what may reasonably be classified as economic utilitarianism, so called because of the everyday connotations of the word utility. Second, there is what is generally referred to as ideal utilitarianism. This is a type of ethical theory that posits various moral ends and claims that actions are right in so far as they serve as means to one or more of those ends. Third, there is hedonistic utilitarianism, so called from the Greek hedone meaning, roughly, pleasure. The fundamental tenet of hedonistic utilitarianism is that happiness is the sole thing that is morally good in and of itself.
