antiutilitarian
|an-ti-yu-ti-li-ta-ri-an|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˌjuː.tɪˈlɪr.i.ən/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪˌjuː.tɪˈlɪə.ri.ən/
against utilitarianism (opposed to maximizing overall utility)
Etymology
'antiutilitarian' originates from two elements: the prefix 'anti-' from Greek 'anti-' (meaning 'against') and the adjective 'utilitarian' ultimately from Latin 'utilis' (meaning 'useful'), via English 'utility' and 'utilitarian'.
'utilis' (Latin) → 'utilitas'/'utility' (Late Latin/Old French) → 'utility'/'utilitarian' (English); combined with Greek prefix 'anti-' to form modern English 'antiutilitarian'.
Initially the components meant 'against' + 'useful' (or 'relating to utility'); over time the compound came to mean specifically 'opposed to the ethical doctrine of utilitarianism'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to utilitarianism or who defends positions contrary to utilitarian principles (i.e., an opponent of utilitarian moral theory).
The conference included several antiutilitarians who defended deontological and virtue-based views.
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Noun 2
formation of 'antiutilitarian' used to denote 'antiutilitarianism' — the doctrine or stance opposing utilitarianism as a moral theory or policy guide.
The antiutilitarian position stresses rights, justice, or integrity over simple utility calculations.
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Adjective 1
opposed to utilitarianism; rejecting the principle that right actions are those that maximize overall utility or aggregate welfare.
Her antiutilitarian critique argued that some rights cannot be sacrificed to increase overall happiness.
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Last updated: 2025/09/12 02:30