 Utilitarianism is a type of consequentialist ethical theory . According to such theories , only the outcome of an action is morally relevant ( this contrasts with deontology , according to which moral actions flow from duties or motives ) . Utilitarianism is a combination of consequentialism and the philosophical position hedonism , which states that pleasure , or happiness , is the only good worth pursuing . Therefore , since only the consequences of an action matter , and only happiness matters , only happiness that is the consequence of an action is morally relevant . There are similarities with preference utilitarianism , where utility is defined as individual preference rather than pleasure . 
