Jeremy Bentham's Theory Of Utilitarianism

For years contemporary philosophers have contemplated the implication of a political philosophy known as Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a concept that can be encapsulated by both of its unique tenets, ecstasy and consequentialism. When I speak of ecstasy, I am referring to the notion of nearly complete happiness. The word ‘Ecstasy’ seems to convey a stronger meaning of the concept of happiness. So, from here on I shall use the word ‘Ecstasy’ when referent to happiness. When I speak of consequentialism, I mean to quote a particular class within normative ethical theory by which maintains that the consequences of one’s conduct are ultimately the basis for unbiased judgment about the rightness or wrongness of one’s conduct. Within the political …show more content…
It was not until 1769 that Bentham found purpose in his life and began toying with his version of what he understood as utility. It was during this year that Bentham was inspired by such philosophers such as Hume, Hartley, Priestly and their radical philosophical views as well as their political views. Bentham drew various elements from such thinkers as these to construct his principle of utility. It was not until the late 1770s-80s that Bentham began to develop his notion of science of legislation, this of course was founded upon his principle of …show more content…
Mill believed that human nature was progressive. Mill himself described his philosophical background as one inspired by “Benthamism”. Following a mental catastrophe in 1826, Mill’s transitional period began shortly thereafter. During this time, Mill described himself as becoming more open minded and admitted that he had taken a more cynical outlook on his utilitarian inheritance. From Mill’s observations of Wordsworth and poetry, Mill saw that intellect and emotion should not be left to the odds, He believed that fact should be the intention of both. Mill’s proper description of utility can be viewed as one that fits the type of conventional Benthamism, in it that its account for happiness (ecstasy) is equivalent to pleasure, as well as the absence of pain. Mill wills two goals in which he attempts to accomplish, both the criticism of utilitarianism as it is popularly defined, and likewise the defense of the concept listed above. Mill believed that the general happiness is the fundamental end of action, he too believed that all ration as well as unbiased people would maintain this view. According to Mill all things that retain value, both in the physical realm as well as the psychological realm, should be seen as components of happiness (ecstasy). Virtue, Mill thought, could be seen as the means to an indefinite end. Justice plays a big role in Mill’s position on the concept