The Philosophy Book

174

See also: Epicurus 64–65 ■ Thomas Hobbes 112–15 ■ David Hume 148–53 ■

John Stuart Mill 190–93 ■ Henry Sidgwick 336

J

eremy Bentham, a legal

reformer and philosopher,

was convinced that all

human activity was driven by

only two motivating forces—the

avoidance of pain and the pursuit

of pleasure. In The Principles of

Morals and Legislation (1789), he

argues that all social and political

decisions should be made with

the aim of achieving the greatest

happiness for the greatest number

of people. Bentham believes that

the moral worth of such decisions

relates directly to their utility, or

efficiency, in generating happiness

or pleasure. In a society driven by

this “utilitarian” approach, he

claims that conflicts of interest

between individuals can be settled

by legislators, guided solely by the

principle of creating the broadest

possible spread of contentment. If

everyone can be made happy, so

much the better, but if a choice is

necessary, it is always preferable

to favor the many over the few.

One of the main benefits of his

proposed system, Bentham states,

is its simplicity. By adopting his

ideas, you avoid the confusions and

misinterpretations of more complex

political systems that can often

lead to injustices and grievances.

Calculating pleasure

More controversially, Bentham

proposes a “felicific calculus” that

can express mathematically the

degree of happiness experienced

by each individual. Using this

precise method, he states, provides

an objective platform for resolving

ethical disputes, with decisions

being made in favor of the view

that is calculated to produce the

highest measure of pleasure.

Bentham also insists that all

sources of pleasure are of equal

value, so that the happiness derived

from a good meal or close friendship

is equal to that derived from an

activity that may require effort or

education, such as engaging in

philosophical debate or reading

poetry. This means that Bentham

assumes a fundamental human

equality, with complete happiness

being accessible to all, regardless

of social class or ability. ■

IN CONTEXT

BRANCH

Ethics

APPROACH

Utilitarianism

BEFORE

Late 4th century BCE

Epicurus states that the main

goal of life should be the

pursuit of happiness.

Early 17th century Thomas

Hobbes argues that a strong

legal system, with severe

penalties for criminals, leads

to a stable and happier society.

Mid-18th century David

Hume claims that emotion

governs our moral judgement.

AFTER

Mid-19th century John

Stuart Mill advocates education

for all, arguing that it would

improve general happiness.

Late 19th century Henry

Sidgwick says that how moral

an action is equates directly to

the degree of pleasure it brings.

THE GREATEST

HAPPINESS FOR THE

GREATEST NUMBER

JEREMY BENTHAM (1748–1832)