Contribution of utilitarianism

Utilitarianism presented a progressive, non-religious, and non-metaphysical theory of morality. There were important practical implications of utilitarianism: abolition of slavery; equal position of men and women; abolition of child labor; euthanasia; rehabilitation of criminal; and mercy for animals. The utilitarians stressed that in the matter of state no groups should be given special consideration. Utilitarianism demands that state acts in the interest of promoting maximum happiness of maximum numbers. Such a theory goes well with a long history of movements for equality and justice and against distinctions based on ethnicity, class, caste, community and gender.