Bentham's Act Utilitarianism

FUNDAMENTAL AXIOM

“It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.”

What did Bentham advocate for society?

individual / economic freedom

separation of church + state

freedom of expression

equal rights for women

THE PANOPTICON

design of prison building

inmates were observed by watchman

couldn’t tell they were being watched

How did Bentham understand happiness?

predominance of pleasure over pain

How does pain and pleasure affect humankind?

points out what we ought to do

determines what we shall do

tells us what is right and wrong

What is the Utility Principle?

the rightness or wrongness of an action - decided by its usefulness to cause happiness or pleasure

greatest good for greatest number minimises pain for greatest number

Bentham believed that …… was more important than intellect. Why?

Sentience = more important

capacity to experience pleasure and pain - basis of moral consideration

What was INTRINISCALLY / INSTRUMENTALLY good and why?

Happiness - INTRINISCALLY good

• has value in itself

Other things - INSTRUMENTALLY good

• value changes depending on outcome

HEDONIC CALCULUS

INTENSITY stronger happiness better than weaker

DURATION - longer lasting pleasure better than brief

CERTAINTY - definite better than possibly

PROPINQUITY/ REMOTENESS - more immediate in time = better

FECUNDITY / PRODUCTION - pleasure leading to more = greater value

PURITY - pleasure without pain = greatest pleasure

EXTENT - more people sharing pleasure = better

TELEOLOGICAL OR DEONTOLOGICAL?

Teleological:

considers consequences of actions

does best for majority