Utilitarianism in the 21st Century: Reassessing the Balance Between Pleasure and Responsibility

This study re-examines utilitarianism in the context of contemporary ethical challenges and argues that traditional pleasure-based models are insufficient for modern moral realities. Classical utilitarianism emphasized happiness maximization, but this research demonstrates that such an approach fails to adequately address structural injustice, environmental degradation, digital surveillance, public health inequities, and intergenerational harm. Through critical analysis of governance systems, technological ethics, criminal justice frameworks, and environmental responsibility, the study proposes a shift toward a “responsible utilitarian” model. This framework expands the concept of utility to include justice, sustainability, rights protection, and long-term societal welfare. The findings suggest that ethical decision-making in the 21st century must balance individual happiness with collective responsibility. The study contributes to ethical theory by offering a revised utilitarian framework capable of guiding policy, technology, and governance in increasingly complex global societies.