Utilitarianism

What is Utilitarianism?
• Utile Bonum
• Utilis
• Usefulness
Do whatever the greatest good for
the greatest number.
 What is Utilitarianism?
• Just like Hedonism.
• A school of thought that considers pleasure to be
the highest good.
• Utility as the norm of morality.
• If an act administers to the temporal welfare and
happiness of man, then it is good.
 Jeremy Bentham
• Born in London on February 15, 1748.
• When he was three he read the multi-volume
history of England.
• He studied Latin when he was 4.
• Graduated college at the age of 12.
 Utilitarianism of Bentham
• It means that property in any object which tends to
produce benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or
happiness.
• …consequences as a result of an act and completely
disregards the motive of an act.
• Morality depends on the consequence.
 Utilitarianism of Bentham
• Motive is not important.
• Motive cannot be known for certain.
• Happiness is the measure.