The Greatest Happiness Principle

Dictionary Definition: The ethical principle that an action is right in so far as it promotes the greatest happiness of the greatest number of those affected

Acts are seen as moral if they cause happiness for the greatest number.

In order for the action to be moral it must be the optimal choice in increasing utility and minimizing pain.

Bentham equated happiness with pleasure and the absence of pain. This was an empirical observation - people desire pleasure and seek to avoid pain.