Which thinker is known for the phrase "the ends justify the means" within the context of ethical philosophy?

The phrase "the ends justify the means" is closely associated with utilitarianism, a consequentialist ethical theory. Jeremy Bentham, as one of the founders of utilitarianism, proposed that the morality of an action is determined by its outcomes or consequences. In this view, if the end result of an action produces the greatest good for the greatest number, then the means used to achieve that end can be justified, regardless of whether those means might be considered morally questionable in isolation.

Bentham's approach emphasizes the overall utility produced by actions, suggesting that moral evaluation should focus on the results rather than the actions themselves. This idea contrasts with other ethical frameworks, such as deontological ethics, which prioritize adherence to rules or duties without regard to the outcomes.