Exploring Utilitarianism

This study explores the contrasting conceptions of virtue in Western philosophy and Islam. Western philosophers predominantly advocate a utilitarian perspective, emphasizing individual and societal utility as the ultimate moral criterion. Happiness and maximum benefit are prioritized, with little consideration for the broader welfare of others. In contrast, Islamic thought diverges, incorporating notions of sacrifice and communal welfare alongside material pursuits. Professionalism and materialism, central to Western ideals, are critiqued within an Islamic framework for their emphasis on acquisition at the expense of altruism.