Crossword Genius

Mauritian is confused about literature and philosophy (14)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

utilitarianism

'philosophy' is the definition.
(utilitarianism is a kind of philosophy)

'mauritian is confused about literature' is the wordplay.
'confused' is an anagram indicator.
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'literature' becomes 'lit'.
'mauritian'+'is'='mauritianis'
'mauritianis' with letters rearranged gives 'utiarianism'.
'utiarianism' placed around 'lit' is 'UTILITARIANISM'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for utilitarianism that I've seen before include "Philosophical doctrine" , "acting for the greater good" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app