The concept of utilitarianism was established by the philosopher Jeremy Bentham. He proposed that the morality of an action is determined by its outcome, specifically in terms of maximizing happiness and minimizing pain. Bentham's ideas laid the foundation for later utilitarian thinkers, like John Stuart Mill, who expanded upon and refined these principles. Utilitarianism became a significant ethical framework in philosophy, influential in areas such as politics, economics, and law, advocating for a consequentialist approach to morality.