Utilitarianism - background to Bentham's Act Utilitarianism

Question 1

who is accepted as originator of modern utilitarianism

Answer 1

Jeremy Bentham - but influenced by likes of Aristotle who believed the main aim of all moral agents was the pursuit of happiness

Question 2

what was Bentham influenced by in his own life

Answer 2

he was a social reformer, who wanted to develop an ethical theory the would benefit the majority of people rather than just the social elite.

Question 3

how can utilitarianism be considered as a rebellion

Answer 3

against strict deontological ethics like natural law. now seen as part of the enlightenment era.

Question 4

what was happiness for Bentham

Answer 4

the supreme ethical value - ‘the sovereign good’

Question 5

“when it is absent…”

Answer 5

“we do everything to possess it.”

Bentham

Question 6

what two places is happiness derived from

Answer 6

1. seeking pleasure

2. avoiding pain

Question 7

what did Bentham advocate to reform prisons

Answer 7

advocated penalties imposed for crimes should be sufficient to deter but not to cause unnecessary suffering