Utilitarianism – From Bentham to Mill

             Utilitarianism – From Bentham to Mill
             In the realm of ethics, it is often that great thinkers look within the mind, body, and soul of the individual in order to discover the truths to a more perfect world. In doing so, philosophers seek to uncover the best way for one to live his or her life as a separate being, often neglecting the significance of the society as a whole. Due to the obvious fact that humans live among each other (and depend upon their fellow beings), should such thinkers not focus on the larger picture - the world we share? Or ways in which the people of the earth may live happier and more successful lives as a community? The philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill believed in such principles, forever fighting to attain equality for all who breathed life and striving to reform a society that impaired and exploited many, most of whom were the lower-class workers. While Bentham formed the foundation of utilitarianism thought to combat such injustice, Mill certainly left his own mark on this revolutionary way of thinking.
             Jeremy Bentham lived during the time of 1748 to 1832, a period in which poverty and inequality was prevalent as a result of the industrial revolution. In response to the desperate needs of the poor and oppressed workers, Bentham developed his utilitarian theory, which he hoped would lead to social reform. In this philosophy, Bentham explains that an individual should act in the best interest of the majority, thus maximizing the pleasure of the greater population, while also attempting to limit their displeasure. Whether an individual commits an action self-righteously or unselfishly does not have any significance to Bentham, for it is moral as long this act pleases the majority (leading to the pleasure of the community).
             In order to ensure the happiness of a society, Bentham has two basic, yet essential principles. To st...

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