Bentham's Felicific Calculus and the Evolution of Punishment

Vocabulary flashcards covering Bentham, utilitarianism, and key components of the felicific calculus, plus related legal principles discussed in the lecture.

Bentham

18th–19th century English philosopher who founded utilitarianism and proposed the felicific (philosophic) calculus to measure the pleasure and pain produced by actions.

Utilitarianism

Ethical theory that the right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness for the greatest number of people.

Felicific Calculus (philosophic calculus; pedonic calculus)

Bentham's method for quantifying pleasure and pain from actions using seven measurable components.

Intensity

The strength of the pleasure or pain produced by an action.

Duration

How long the pleasure or pain lasts.

Certainty (uncertainty)

The likelihood that the pleasure or pain will follow from the action.

Nearness (Proximity)

Immediacy of the pleasure or pain; how close in time it is.

Fecundity

The probability that the action will be followed by sensations of the same kind (more of the same pleasure or more pain).

Purity

The probability that the action will not be followed by sensations of the opposite kind (no subsequent pain after pleasure, or vice versa).

Extent

How many people are affected by the pleasure or pain produced by the action.

Greatest Happiness of the Greatest Number

Bentham's core principle that laws and actions should aim to maximize total happiness for the majority.

Hedonic Calculus

Another term for the felicific calculus describing the measurement of pleasures and pains.

Common Law

A system of standardized law and punishment across jurisdictions based on precedent and record-keeping; evolved to reduce arbitrary punishments.

Magna Carta

1215 charter limiting royal power; established the rule of law and that the king is not above the law, laying groundwork for due process.

Habeas Corpus

Protection from arbitrary detention; no one may be imprisoned without a fair trial.

Due Process

Fair and proper legal procedures guaranteed before depriving a person of liberty or life.

Deterrence

Punishment’s goal to deter crime; effectiveness, efficiency, and proportionality are essential.

Proportionality

Punishments should be proportionate to the offense; historical systems were often arbitrary, leading to reforms toward fair scales.

Blood Feud

Traditional, often family-based vengeance system later confronted by modern state law; includes mediation, compensation, and reconciliation to end cycles of revenge.