Bentham's theory of utility

The term Utilitarianism comes from 'utility', meaning usefulness

• It concerns itself with working out how useful an action is based on its end result
• Utilitarians argue that a person should do the thing which produces the most useful end - it is teleological

Utilitarians apply the following reasoning:

• The most useful end is that which brings the maximum levels of happiness or pleasure
• Actions that produce the most happiness for all are the best course of action (moral actions)
• This way of assessing which course of action is the best one to take is known as the 'greatest happiness principle'

Jeremy Bentham is…