Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was Jeremy Bentham's primary intellectual contribution to moral philosophy?
What was Jeremy Bentham's primary intellectual contribution to moral philosophy?
Which institution did Jeremy Bentham attend to study law?
Which institution did Jeremy Bentham attend to study law?
Which historical event was influenced by Bentham's ideas?
Which historical event was influenced by Bentham's ideas?
What was one of Bentham's primary goals in his literary career?
What was one of Bentham's primary goals in his literary career?
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What did Bentham think of Sir William Blackstone's legal theory?
What did Bentham think of Sir William Blackstone's legal theory?
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Who was a notable philosophical descendant of Jeremy Bentham?
Who was a notable philosophical descendant of Jeremy Bentham?
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What profession did Bentham reject in favor of pursuing a literary career?
What profession did Bentham reject in favor of pursuing a literary career?
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Jeremy Bentham's philosophical lineage is known for which of the following elements?
Jeremy Bentham's philosophical lineage is known for which of the following elements?
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What do sanctions primarily serve to do, according to Bentham?
What do sanctions primarily serve to do, according to Bentham?
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Which type of sanction is described as not administered by any human or divine source?
Which type of sanction is described as not administered by any human or divine source?
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How do moral sanctions primarily influence behavior, based on the content?
How do moral sanctions primarily influence behavior, based on the content?
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What was Bentham's main focus when discussing political sanctions?
What was Bentham's main focus when discussing political sanctions?
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According to Bentham, what might motivate an individual to change their behavior due to fear of social consequences?
According to Bentham, what might motivate an individual to change their behavior due to fear of social consequences?
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Which sanction type reflects obedience to divine authority or religious texts?
Which sanction type reflects obedience to divine authority or religious texts?
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What role do political sanctions play in Bentham's view of legal systems?
What role do political sanctions play in Bentham's view of legal systems?
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In what way does Bentham argue that laws should function in society?
In what way does Bentham argue that laws should function in society?
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How does Bentham view the influence of sanctions on individual behavior?
How does Bentham view the influence of sanctions on individual behavior?
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What is a potential outcome of following sanctions according to Bentham’s theory?
What is a potential outcome of following sanctions according to Bentham’s theory?
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What aspect of human behavior does Bentham's utilitarianism fundamentally rely on?
What aspect of human behavior does Bentham's utilitarianism fundamentally rely on?
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According to Bentham, what determines the ethical value of actions?
According to Bentham, what determines the ethical value of actions?
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What is the principle of utility as stated by Bentham?
What is the principle of utility as stated by Bentham?
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Which of the following did Bentham reject as bases for moral evaluation?
Which of the following did Bentham reject as bases for moral evaluation?
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What logical issue is associated with Bentham's leap from psychological egoism to ethical egoism?
What logical issue is associated with Bentham's leap from psychological egoism to ethical egoism?
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What does Bentham see as the proper response to actions that promote pain or suffering?
What does Bentham see as the proper response to actions that promote pain or suffering?
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What is Bentham's view on the role of pleasure in ethics?
What is Bentham's view on the role of pleasure in ethics?
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What does Bentham argue about the nature of morality?
What does Bentham argue about the nature of morality?
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In criticizing other moral theories, what does Bentham imply about their clarity?
In criticizing other moral theories, what does Bentham imply about their clarity?
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What does Bentham mean when referring to 'sovereign masters'?
What does Bentham mean when referring to 'sovereign masters'?
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What is the essence of the ethical stance Bentham advocates?
What is the essence of the ethical stance Bentham advocates?
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How does Bentham characterize the relationship between pleasure and moral obligations?
How does Bentham characterize the relationship between pleasure and moral obligations?
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According to Bentham, what must all actions ultimately contribute to?
According to Bentham, what must all actions ultimately contribute to?
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Study Notes
Jeremy Bentham: Utilitarian Ethics
- Born in London 1748, intellectually precocious
- Early education: Latin grammar at age 4; Queen's College, Oxford at 12
- Earned Bachelor of Arts at Oxford in 1763; Legal studies Lincoln's Inn
- Influenced by Sir William Blackstone's natural rights theory; Rejected it, developed own utilitarian view
- Master of Arts in 1766; Didn't pursue law; Became social reformer
- Modernized British political/social institutions; Influenced Reform Bill of 1832 (power shift from aristocracy to bourgeoisie)
- Godfather of John Stuart Mill (who was later godfather of Bertrand Russell)
- Philosophical lineage with political activism.
Utilitarian Ethics
- Key figure in utilitarianism
- Not sole inventor; influenced by Hobbes and Locke
- Connected utilitarianism to 19th-century English society (moral thought and reform)
- Sought scientific objectivity in ethics; Rejected tradition, aristocratic privilege, religious faith (deemed them serving ruling classes)
- Preferred commonsense, empirical approach to social reform
- Evaluated actions/government by practical consequences (good produced)
- Consequentialist view: action's worth determined by outcome
- Principle of Utility:
- Promotes happiness for all affected;
- Measures all actions aiming to increase happiness or diminish unhappiness.
- "Utility" synonymous with benefit, advantage, pleasure, happiness, goodness. Opposes misery, pain, evil, suffering.
Psychological and Ethical Egoism
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Based on psychological egoism: Humans inherently seek pleasure, avoid pain
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"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure."
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Ethical egoism: Seeking pleasure is morally obligatory; Pleasure/avoidance of pain are standards for right/wrong
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"Is-ought fallacy": Incorrectly deriving moral "ought" from an "is" (human behavior).
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Morality shouldn't be tied to human nature , even if naturally prone to evil
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People not inherently justified in actions like lying, killing, etc.
The Role of Sanctions
- Sanctions: Sources of pleasure/pain influencing behavior
- Physical sanctions: Laws of nature (e.g., gravity)
- Moral sanctions: Peer group pressure, social expectations, and ostracism
- Religious sanctions: Religious belief system (heaven/hell)
- Political sanctions: Formal punishments/rewards by state (fines, jail, order)
- Political sanctions most important to Bentham; aimed to promote general welfare by individuals pursuing their advantage, while also maximizing good overall (utilitarian ideals).
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Description
Explore the life and philosophy of Jeremy Bentham, a pivotal figure in utilitarian ethics. Learn about his education, social reform efforts, and the impact of his ideas on 19th-century English society. Discover how his rejection of traditional ethics shaped modern political thought.
