Jeremy Bentham, the introduction of the Principles of morals and lawmaking is a theory of utility. This is a theory which links to the ethical consequentialism. This theory is used to look at how the ethical background and be developed at that time. As all was this theory has to be evaluated and see if it still has any importance with the society now. This essay will highlight the topics of the Hedonic calculator and the measurements of pleasure and pain.Also will talk about the influence of Bentham's theory when it comes to modern conflict and seeing what other arguments are placed agent Bentham's thinking.
The idea behind the utility theory is on the base of what is determined as right and wrong by the outcome if the consequences, for example, if an outcome of a situation provides happiness greater then pain, this would result in an ethically successful deed. On then comes to the understanding of that Bentham goes on to develop on this ideally by stating that one should not only use this methodology for self-interest but should also be used by one for the measure of the government. (Bentham,1907)Boucher and Utilitarianism have a link with each other, such as benefit, good and pleasure amongst them, but including their opposites (Boucher and Kelly, 2003). Bentham comes to the conclusion that laws and ethics can be determined by science, and this is due to the fact that nature is explained by the laws of sciences and physics. Bentham also, states that humans tend to be motived by pleasure and pain, this is also known as the theory of psychological hedonism. It can be seen that the principal utility is not established due to religion, rule or tradition, this can be seen arguing by Bentham as he states, that morality is nothing linked to god or pleasing him, nor is it a faithfulness to abstract orders, but is something which is all about bring greatness and happiness as much as it can to the world (Bentham,1907). However, the idea of the consequences, for example, can be judged, whereas one cannot measure the motives. For instance to a certain extent, one cannot find principles within religion, but through the works of the terrible quality of lifestyles. One great example that can be used in Victorian England. As in that time frame, one sees the lack of working conditions and poor living standards, this is due to the understanding of the social framework of the other states in that time. For instance, the Germany of the 19th century developed the ideas of how to improve the better lifestyles their people known as the Hobrecht Plan (Bernet, 2004). The issues that were seen in the eightieth and nineteenth century, lacking in keeping the public happy and providing pleasure due to the economic movement due to the monopolisation by the well-born. Bentham believes that the idea of utility that is used to make sure out moral deed is in place should also be made sure is used in the state and its politics (Bentham,1907). Therefore, the idea of why one should have government and the concept of law is so one can prevent the evilness and make sure the people are in good conditions and giving well. The main way for Bentham to understand if the citizens are gaining full use of utility is for them to meet the four stages such as subsistence, abundance, equality and security for the citizens. In this it's easy to say that Britain in the 19th century did not meet those requirements, however, Germany did.
Bentham then brings in the motions on Hedonic calculus which presents the amount of pleasure or pain that a deed can bring. One can see the breakdown of seven steps which are Intensity; duration; certainty; remoteness, the immediacy of the pleasure or pain; fecundity, whether similar pleasures or pains will follow; purity, whether the pleasure is mixed with pain; and lastly extent, the number of people affected. One can say that these can be linked to moral dilemmas, for example, the idea of capital punishment, as one has killed another and for the pleasure, they are punished which is a pain for the criminal. Bentham has developed a list of the seven stated above, where he rates the following from 1 to 10, where 10 is the highest amount of pain and pleasure one can feel from a deed. But for the calculus to be ebbed used it, for example in the situation above stated it may have to be considered many times, as it important to see the members of the public that may perhaps be affected b the outcome. This includes the person family how is on trial and the family of the victim. When evaluating utilitarian theory, it's important to look over if such an ideology can be used within the practical world in practice. in simple terms, if the government, institutions and such can govern us. The main point that is seen in utility is of that it works on the idea of developing equality among the public. Bentham comes to terms that if equality is met then, pleasure is good then its good for those of whom pleasure it is.
When referring to the measurement of pleasure and pain, one can tend to see the link to human rights as the theory of utility believe that the value of one human is the same as another, equality is based not on class, race or sexuality each has the equal right, and each person is countable for their own happiness and no one else (Bentham,1907). This will lead the negligees of any racism, discrimination and such towards individuals, and force more on the real consequences of their policies. There may even be a more of a better chance of human development and growth within society if these barriers are broken helping the society to come together and become one. This would lead to humanist happiness which leads to the idea for Bentham idea of pleasure, as everyone will see the same goals and try to develop them. On the other hand this can be also seen as not a great practical way in the real society, as one can see it does not involve the daily nuances of a person everyday life. This can be seen in a mental exercise, such as a train is driving with no control without a controller, he has to make a choice between left or right, on the left is the MP of the area and on the right is 6 people. However, if one was to understand the theory of Bentham and put it within this situation, you come to the understanding of life choices can be hard to keep them equal as one life over six is not great, but being the MP the life of the Mp is important. This presents the point that the idea of that calculator is not scientific as its meant to be and that then results in the idea that human equality is an issue.
Lending on from the previous point, one can link the fact that criminal acts could be justified such as rape or killing of large groups using this thought saying its for the pleasure of a larger group than the one victim. Ie 3 people have pleasure from killing one individual but the number of pleasure is bigger is that okay? The answer is no. A historical event that can be used as a prime example that is the Nazi Germany, where the number of killing of jew was large however the pleasure that Germans was larger, but its seen as a horrible event within history which show the dark side of the idea that is presented by Bentham. One can see many more criticisms of the moral code of Bentham ideas, such as morality involves in looking at the pleasurable and painful outcomes of a person's deeds. This in results tends to build up to the criticism such as bureaucracy and swinish morals. As humans, we tend to perform many acts throughout the day where it becomes hard to be a part of the utilitarian analysis of the action made within the everyday.
Another theorist such as John Stuart Mill tends to develop another point of view on the theory of utility in the elements of rule utilitarianism. This was brought into attention by Bentham’s theory of lawmaking that successfully wards off the other criticism as Bouche argued that there is a medium set of rules, laws and principles that can help understand the benefit analysis effectively, this is the reason why one is able to make decision with the outcomes within one's mind and being able to quickly effective. Being about to follow rules and the laws so one can make moral decisions is given the reason for according to the idea of utility as the good is outcome way of the cost. Laws that are made by the states to be implied on the public, actually end up limiting the freedom of the people. However, it is very important that the social order and good governance, therefore good laws are to be checked upon to make sure the checks and balances so that single economic, political and social right are safe so such criminal acts are punished and this is why it is made sure that laws are put in place. The idea of laws it that it benefits the safety and health of individual until the end. Bentham is very much upheld on the idea of securitisation of the laws and the well being of people and interest of them are protected. So the idea of Nazi Germany does not favour the idea of utility theory, as the amount of pain that was placed upon the Jewish community would not fit the concept of the utility theory and its ways.
Where one can see some criticism with the Bentham’s hedonic calculator, the idea that is presented of the deeds which lead to the most amount of pleasure with the least amount of pain could be used in the modern society. The use of the heroic calculator may be used to diminish, the events that are going on in the middle east, such as the main crisis if Israel and Palestine. The argument that is presented by Balfour agreement, is one that seems very useful and fitting, that the Zionist Jewish community, wanted to reclaim their Biblical hoe land of Jerusalem. However, this resulted in the major issue as the land at the certain time was civilised by the Palestinians at that time. The idea that is present by Bentham could be sued in this event, was the pleasure that was being gained was one or mer human and imperial one. The reason was a very large pleasure for the humanist aspect is due to the reason as the Jewish community would be replaced in a home and the fact that the discrimination that they had faced from Germany would in some way help nations to show that they are sorry. Another pleasure that may be seen is from Britain, as in all of this they would tend to gain strategic importance within the Middle East by the support of the huge movement. However, the Jewish gained pleasure in the result of Palestinians gaining pain, as they have been kicking out their homeland, was the movement of the Palestinians caused issue within the Middle East itself. If one was to take the Hedonic calculator under consideration it would show this step should not have been taken. As the conflicted resulted in the natives that had lived in Palestine, to move which meant that it's more of an issue than giving Jewish new homes and robbing natives of their over the fact that the Jewish book said it was their promised land. As the relocation of these, are the number of people caused death and that is the worst pain in the eyes of Bentham. Also, there was a low amount of pleasure as the pain of being kicked out your home was immediate. Th eat that occurred was seen as depressing and for many states the idea of a whole nation being removed from there land is depressing and evil, also knowing it was backed by imperial powers. Not only was the pain for Palestinians but of many that watch and witness the cruelty txt goes on. Which clearly defines the theory of utility, that pleasure is less and pain is more, which for Bentham is not good, and that this is clearly an outcome which shows how Bentham’s theory baby still be valid within the modern society. However someone such as Gisborne’s would argue the idea that utilitarian principle is not the best to be used in the modern society, this is due to the fact that he critics Bentham, that its hard to account the outcomes of a single action taken place, so it becomes hard to see if the pleasure and pain of a single deed will produce.As the example of the Balfour agreement that was stated before, it would have been not seen from the British what the outcome of their support to the movement of Jewish recalling their land would cause to the natives of Palestine, and the leading to the tension between the two till date. So being able to judge the outcomes of any actions is reasonable hard as no one can know what the end outcome can be as events and individuals can influxes the change of the outcome.
In conclusion, the theory of utility that is upheld by Bentham and the later passed down to John Mill has a rebellious moral guideline, that links to the system that does not link to religion or the traditions. So one can see the benefits whereas, the negatives which come with it. The number of key issues that need to be covered is an impossible ad there are many, in Bentham theory if utility. We also come to the understanding of the idea that pleasure is important for humans but if the pain is high then it is not good. The final outcome is that use of the utility theory within the modern day would be very great.