JEREMY BENTHAM

Published on 23 Nov 2025

Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher, jurist, and social reformer regarded as the founder of modern utilitarianism. 

Core Values

• Utilitarianism: Bentham’s central value was the principle of utilitarianism, which held that actions should be judged based on their ability to maximize overall happiness or utility. He believed that the greatest good for the greatest number was the ultimate moral aim.

• Example: The lockdown was issued based on this principle despite its drawbacks.

• Hedonism: Bentham believed that pleasure and the avoidance of pain were the fundamental human motivators. He valued happiness and pleasure as the ultimate goals of human life.

• Example: The government organises programs during festive seasons using taxpayers’ money so that citizens can enjoy the festivals.

• Calculability: Bentham introduced the concept of the “felicific calculus,” a method for quantifying and calculating the utility or pleasure produced by different actions. This approach aimed to make moral decisions more objective and rational.

• Legislative Reform: Bentham was an advocate for legislative reform and the creation of laws and institutions that would promote the greatest happiness of society.

• Example: The establishment of NCST.

• Scepticism of Natural Rights: Bentham was sceptical of the concept of natural rights, arguing that they lacked a clear basis in empirical evidence and should be subordinate to the principle of utility.

• Secular Ethics: Bentham’s ethics were secular in nature, and he argued that moral principles could be established without relying on religious or supernatural beliefs.

Quotes

•  “The question is not, “Can they reason?” nor, “Can they talk?” but “Can they suffer?”

• “Create all the happiness you are able to create; remove all the misery you are able to remove. Every day will allow you, --will invite you to add something to the pleasure of others, --or to diminish something of their pains.”

• “Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet. “

• “Happiness is a very pretty thing to feel, but very dry to talk about.”

• “Every law is an infraction of liberty.”

• “Is it possible for a man to move the earth? Yes; but he must first find out another earth to stand upon.”

• “The quantity of pleasure being equal, push-pin is as good as poetry.”

Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarian values, centred on maximising happiness and minimising suffering, have had a profound influence on ethical and moral philosophy, shaping discussions on ethics, public policy, and the welfare of society.

Tags:
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Keywords:
JEREMY BENTHAM Utilitarianism Hedonism Calculability Secular Ethics MORAL THINKERS PHILOSOPHERS The question is not “Can they reason?” nor “Can they talk?” but “Can they suffer Create all the happiness you are able to create; remove all the misery you are able to remove. Every day will allow you --will invite you to add something to the pleasure of others --or to diminish something of their pains Stretching his hand up to reach the stars too often man forgets the flowers at his feet Happiness is a very pretty thing to feel but very dry to talk about Every law is an infraction of liberty Is it possible for a man to move the earth? Yes; but he must first find out another earth to stand upon The quantity of pleasure being equal push-pin is as good as poetry

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 4

Topics:
Philosophical Thinkers