Hedonic Calculus

What does Bentham refer to happiness as?

The supreme ethical value or ‘sovereign good’

What does Bentham argue about us being motivated by pleasure?

We peruse pleasure and avoid pain

What is Bentham’s view on happiness linked to?

The earlier ethical theory of Hedonism

What does Hedonism define?

What is right in terms of pleasure

What did Bentham develop?

The Hedonic Calculus

What does the Hedonic Calculus measure?

The amount of pleasure in each moral situation

How many elements should be considered when calculating the amount of happiness?

7

What is the first element of calculating happiness?

Intensity

What is meant by intensity?

The stronger the better therefore rushes of pleasure bring intense happiness

What is the second element of calculating happiness?

Duration

What is meant by duration?

The longer lasting is better, so the nature of the happiness experience is a key factor in assessing the quality of pleasure

What is the third element of calculating happiness?

Certainty

What is meant by certainty?

The more certainty of pleasure the better the result. This is a true ‘calculation’ of the implications of the pleasure being consistent and reliable.

What does Driver state in relation to certainty?

‘all things being equal, we should go for the more certain than less certain pleasures’

What is the fourth element of calculating happiness?

Extent

What is meant by extent?

The more people who experience it the better as shared pleasures enhance the impact of happiness beyond oneself in true keeping with the happiness principle

What is the fifth element of calculating happiness?

Propinquity

What is meant by propinquity?

The nearer pleasure is to you the better as it is in the present rather than the distant future

What is the sixth element of calculating happiness?

Richness/fecundity

What is meant by richness/fecundity?

The higher chance of pleasure being repeated/will come with other pleasures the better, which also considers additional occurrences of the same pleasure or subsequent/dependent sub-pleasures

What is the seventh element of calculating happiness?

Purity

What is meant by purity?

The least amount of pain it involves the better as some experiences may not be pure happiness but instead ‘up and downs’. For Bentham, a consistent experience of pleasure that is distanced from pain/negative feelings is superior