Jeremy Bentham's Utilitarianism

Bentham

________ would state that happiness is made up of pleasure and absence of pain, and that the right action is that which maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain.

Hedonic Calculus

________ → A system of distinguishing and measuring different kinds of pleasure and pain so that the relative weights of the consequences of different courses of action could be compared.

Utilitarianism

________ is generally thought of as the philosophy which focuses on the consequences of actions, stressing the need to maximize pleasure or happiness, and minimize pain or suffering.

Principles of Morals and Legislation

In his Introduction to the ________, Bentham states that mankind is governed by two sovereign masters, pleasure and pain.

Benthams Law Reforms

________ → To maximize happiness, and minimize pain.

Bentham

________ also contributed to the theory of Utilitarianism by elaborating on the Hedonic Calculus.

Bentham

________ is often considered the father of Utilitarianism, although there were other Utilitarians in the 18th century.

Bentham

________ goes for a Naturalistic or Physiological approach or basis to ethics, not Theological.

Bentham’s Law Reforms

To maximize happiness, and minimize pain

Utilitarianism

The philosophy which focuses on the consequences of actions, stressing the need to maximize pleasure or happiness, and minimize pain or suffering.

Utility, according to Bentham

“That property in any object, whereby it tends to produce benefit, advantage, pleasure, good or happiness, or to prevent the happening of mischief, pain, evil or unhappiness.”

Jeremy Bentham

Bentham was an English jurist who devoted his life to campaigning for a more intelligible, just, and humane legal system. Used Utilitarianism as the basis for rational systems of law.

Hedonic Calculus

A system of distinguishing and measuring different kinds of pleasure and pain so that the relative weights of the consequences of different courses of action could be compared.