Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Utilitarian: Concerned with or focused on practical use, benefit, or material gain, rather than artistic, spiritual, or ethical principles. It describes an attitude or action that prioritizes usefulness and self-interest.
   • Self-interested: Motivated by personal advantage or benefit.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ta có một quan điểm rất vị lợi về giáo dục. (He has a very utilitarian view of education.)
  • Hành động đó hoàn toàn vị lợi, không xuất phát từ lòng tốt. (That action was entirely self-interested, not stemming from kindness.)
  • Một quyết định mang tính vị lợi. (A utilitarian decision.)

Advanced Usage

• Chủ nghĩa vị lợi: Utilitarianism (the ethical doctrine).
  • Triết lý của John Stuart Mill thường được liên hệ với chủ nghĩa vị lợi. (The philosophy of John Stuart Mill is often associated with utilitarianism.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tính vị lợi (n): The quality of being utilitarian; utilitarianism.
  • Tính vị lợi đôi khi bị chỉ trích là lạnh lùng. (Utilitarianism is sometimes criticized as being cold.)

Synonyms

• Utilitarian: Practical, functional, useful.
• Self-serving: Acting to advance one's own interests.
• Pragmatic: Dealing with things sensibly and realistically based on practical consequences.

Related Concepts

• Chủ nghĩa công lợi: Another term for Utilitarianism, emphasizing the greatest good for the greatest number.
• Thực dụng: Pragmatic, practical. While related, "thực dụng" is broader and less pejorative than "vị lợi," which can carry a negative connotation of selfishness.