Bentham vs religion

differences between Bentham and religion

• motivation of humans to maximise pain, minimise pleasure

  • Buddhism = no craving, satisfaction in current state

• relative, situational (hedonic calculus)

  • fixed absolutes (10 Commandments, Sharia law)

• teleological = “greatest good for greatest number”

  • deontological = “do not steal”, “do not covet”

• focus on majority (often oppressing minority)

  • religion concerned with weaker members of society

  • Buddhism = individualistic

consistencies between Bentham and religion

• principle of utility 

  • Mill’s further expansion on Bentham with an emphasis on self-sacrifice 

  • God sacrificed his only son to save humanity 

• Bentham started utilitarianism to give voice to poor majority

  • religion concerned with weaker members of society

  • some schools of Buddhism = focus on social action (e.g. Plum Village)

• teleological (outcome > action)

  • religion with teleological element in achieving enlightenment / unity with God

• minimising pain

  • Buddhism’s 4 Noble Truths

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