Which of these is the correct spelling of a theory centered on utility and outcomes?

Correct — C. The theory that judges actions by their utility, their usefulness in producing good outcomes, is utilitarianism.

Build it in pieces:
utility → utilit-
utilit- with -arian → utilitarian
utilitarian with -ism → utilitarianism → option (c)

The -arian is the same suffix as in vegetarian and humanitarian.

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Utilitarienism — Utilitarienism writes -ien- where the suffix has -ian-. The suffix is -arian, spelt with i-a-n, as in vegetarian and humanitarian.
• (b)
  Utiliterianism — Utiliterianism turns the a of -tar- into e. That stressed syllable is pronounced 'tair', exactly as in vegetarian, and it is spelt with a.
• (d)
  Utillitarianism — Utillitarianism doubles the l. The base word utility has a single l after uti-, and the longer word keeps it.

A spelling item on a technical term is easiest when you build the word from its parts rather than recall it whole.

The parts here are the noun utility, the suffix -arian (someone who holds a belief or practice, as in vegetarian and egalitarian), and -ism, a doctrine.

As a theory, utilitarianism judges an action by its consequences. It is linked above all with Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.

Key facts

• Utilitarianism holds that the right action is the one producing the greatest overall good or happiness.
• It is linked above all with Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill.
• The word is built from utility plus the suffix -arian plus -ism.
• It is a form of consequentialism, which judges actions by their outcomes.

Common traps

• Writing -terian by ear, when the suffix is -arian, as in vegetarian
• Doubling the l, when the base word utility has only one

No directly related past PYQ was found.