An idea due to
Englishman Jeremy Bentham. Utility is that which "serves to increase
human happiness," based on maximum
pleasure and minimum
pain overall - "the greatest happiness of the greatest number."
Legislators, therefore, should concern themselves with
laws that achieve increased pleasures or avoidance of pains.
Bentham even defined a
calculus for utility. It's generally held to be
silly.
John Stuart Mill later expanded on these ideas.