Bentham

Definition

Bentham was an influential English philosopher and jurist who is considered the founder of modern utilitarianism. He is known for his principle of 'the greatest good for the greatest number', which forms the core of utilitarian ethics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bentham's core principle of 'the greatest good for the greatest number' forms the foundation of utilitarian ethics, which evaluates the morality of an action based on its consequences rather than its adherence to rules or duties.
2. Bentham believed that the ultimate goal of morality should be to maximize overall happiness and minimize suffering, which he termed 'the greatest happiness principle'.
3. Bentham developed the concept of 'hedonic calculus', a method for quantifying the moral value of an action by measuring its ability to produce pleasure and minimize pain.
4. Bentham's 'felicific calculus' provided a framework for calculating the overall utility or happiness produced by an action, taking into account factors such as intensity, duration, certainty, and propinquity of pleasure and pain.
5. Bentham's utilitarian philosophy had a significant influence on the development of social and political reforms in 19th-century Britain, including the abolition of slavery, improvements in working conditions, and the expansion of democracy.

Review Questions

• Explain Bentham's principle of 'the greatest good for the greatest number' and how it relates to the concept of utilitarianism.
  • Bentham's principle of 'the greatest good for the greatest number' is the foundation of utilitarian ethics, which holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action should be judged solely based on its consequences and ability to promote overall happiness and well-being. Utilitarianism, as developed by Bentham, argues that the moral value of an action is determined by its capacity to maximize pleasure and minimize pain for the greatest number of people affected by that action. This contrasts with other ethical frameworks that focus on adherence to rules, duties, or the inherent rights of individuals.
• Describe Bentham's concepts of 'hedonic calculus' and 'felicific calculus' and explain how they were used to quantify the moral value of actions.
  • Bentham developed the concept of 'hedonic calculus' as a method for quantifying the moral value of an action based on its ability to produce pleasure and minimize pain. The 'felicific calculus' provided a more comprehensive framework for calculating the overall utility or happiness generated by an action, taking into account factors such as the intensity, duration, certainty, and propinquity of the pleasure and pain it causes. These tools were intended to provide a systematic way of evaluating the consequences of actions and determining the course of action that would result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
• Discuss the influence of Bentham's utilitarian philosophy on social and political reforms in 19th-century Britain.
  • Bentham's utilitarian philosophy had a significant impact on the development of social and political reforms in 19th-century Britain. His principle of 'the greatest good for the greatest number' provided a philosophical justification for efforts to abolish slavery, improve working conditions, and expand democracy. Bentham's ideas influenced the passage of laws and policies aimed at promoting the overall well-being and happiness of the population, rather than catering to the interests of a privileged few. This utilitarian approach to governance and policymaking played a crucial role in shaping the social and political landscape of 19th-century Britain.

Related terms

Utilitarianism: A moral philosophy that holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action depends entirely on the consequences of that action, specifically its ability to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Hedonic Calculus: Bentham's method of quantifying the moral value of an action by measuring its ability to produce pleasure (happiness) and minimize pain.

Felicific Calculus: Bentham's framework for calculating the overall utility or happiness produced by an action, taking into account factors such as intensity, duration, certainty, and propinquity of pleasure and pain.