UTILITARIANISM

 Utilitarianism is generally held to be the view that the morally right action is the
action that produces the most good.

 One thing to note is that the theory is a form of consequentialism: the right action is
understood entirely in terms of consequences produced.

Persons behind this theory:

JEREMY BENTHAM(1748–1832) - was influenced by both THomas Hobbes and

David Hume. He famously held that humans were ruled by two sovereign masters —
pleasure and pain. We seek pleasure and the avoidance of pain, they “…govern us in all we
do, in all we say, in all we think…” (Bentham PML, 1).

 Actions are approved when they are such as to promote happiness, or pleasure, and
disapproved of when they have a tendency to cause unhappiness, or pain (PML).

JOHN STUART MILL (1806–1873) - was a follower of Bentham, and, through

most of his life, greatly admired Bentham's work.

 that people desire happiness — the utilitarian end — and that the general happiness is
“a good to the aggregate of all persons.”

 A person without virtue is morally lacking, is not as able to promote the good.

 This is the problem that holds that if we ought to maximize utility, if that is the right
thing to do, then doing right requires enormous sacrifices (under actual conditions),
and that requiring such sacrifices is too demanding. With duties, on Mill's view, it is
important that we get compliance, and that justifies coercion. In the case of virtue,
however, virtuous actions are those which it is “…for the general interest that they
remain free.”

CONCLUSION

Since the early 20th Century utilitarianism has undergone a variety of refinements. After
the middle of the 20th Century it has become more common to identify as a
‘Consequentialist’ since very few philosophers agree entirely with the view proposed by the
Classical Utilitarians, particularly with respect to the hedonistic value theory. But the
influence of the Classical Utilitarians has been profound. The question Bentham asked,
“What use is it?,” is a cornerstone of policy formation. It is a completely secular,
forward-looking question. The articulation and systematic development of this approach
to policy formation is owed to the Classical Utilitarians.
REPORTED BY:

LEANMARX A. TEJANO