Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that states that the right action is the action that produces the greatest benefit for the number of people.
The concept of utilitarianism was first introduced by the British philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, in the 18th century.
Bentham develops the principle of utilitarianism by proposing the idea that human happiness is the main goal of their existence, and any action must be measured based on its positive impact on human happiness.
In the context of Indonesia, Utilitarianism has been used in many public policies, such as in infrastructure development and environmental protection.
The application of utilitarianism in infrastructure development policies can be seen from the government's efforts to increase the accessibility and comfort of public transportation which is expected to improve the welfare of the community.
Meanwhile, the application of utilitarianism in environmental protection can be seen from the government's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality which is expected to improve the welfare of human as a whole.
However, criticism of utilitarianism also surfaced in Indonesia, especially in the context of human rights and social justice.
Some critics consider utilitarianism to be too focused on the benefits of the majority and ignore the interests of the minority.
In addition, critics also highlight the problem of measurement of benefits and losses, which are often difficult to measure objectively.
Nevertheless, Utilitarianism remains one of the important ethical theories in the Indonesian context and is used as a guide in many public policies.
