Utilitarianism: Definition and Meaning

Utilitarianism was essentially an English doctrine that played a crucial role in the 19th century reforms across Europe in different public aspects of lives including political, social, economic, academics and legal. The doctrine initially evolved with a radical nature as it sought to overhaul the entire conventional structures and systems for complementing the changing scenarios of the contemporary times.

Moreover, the concept was the first of its kind which established a relation between personal happiness and individuals with the public interest. Additionally, the doctrine has been associated with some major scholars of the times including Jeremy Bentham, James Mill, John Austin and John Stuart Mill.

What is the meaning of Utilitarianism?

Utilitarianism is basically a normative approach that seeks to determine the difference between right and wrong conduct on the basis of their outcomes. It means that whatever action or conduct which results in advantage or pleasure to human beings are the rightest thing to do.

Thus, it basically prefers and promotes those actions that ensure maximum happiness to maximum number of people instead of pain or happiness to few, as the ultimate objective of this ethical ideology is to serve public welfare, which is a fundamental aspect of every political-legal-social theory.

Salient Features of Utilitarianism

The following are the salient features of Utilitarianism −

• Scientific Reasoning − Utilitarianism is known to be based on the proposition that “there is a science of mind”. The mind is composed of numerous sensations and reacts differently. The human mind has a tendency to agree with pleasure and always desires happiness, while avoiding pain to every extent. Thus, the major human aim is to live a life of actions that result in happiness.

• Legal Aspect − The Utilitarian theory demands that the legislature should make those laws which promote general happiness while punishing the wrongdoer and awarding the righteous man. It basically suggests that those actions that are harmful to public happiness which is social good must be punished as a crime to maintain a moral order.

• Political Dimension − Utilitarianism has been a staunch promoter of democratic form of government because its principles found that as every human being is capable of determining their best interest thus, when the majority of individuals would be in the government then happiness of the largest number of people is ensured. Moreover, it found that the state is a human necessity as it works for their welfare and protection, thus it is an artificial institution created by individuals.

• Human Nature − Utilitarianism is based on the presumption that humans are individualistic but social and egoistical, therefore, they seek pleasure and avoid pain as they have a selfish nature. Additionally, as society is a collection of humans thus, social well-being can only be ensured when liberty and interest of individuals is secured. Hence, it emerged as a champion of human liberty while opposing any kind of injustice or tyranny.

• Experimental and Pragmatic Theory − Utilitarianism was a response to the idealism and empiricism of the 18th century as it was a first of its kind which demonstrated that the ultimate criterion of the worth of any policy or measure is its result and usefulness. Additionally, the theory also expounded that instead of focusing on the unrealizable ideals, the emphasis should be on realistic approaches of institutions in terms of human needs.

• Standard of Utility − Utilitarians believed that the criterion of every action of the state was utility. It means that those actions and measures which not only aim at but also result in happiness and welfare would be right and good. Likewise, the experience of satisfaction in human affairs was also a parameter, hence, it was a realistic theory having the endeavor to advance progress of society and to improve the present conditions by ascertaining the practical realities in formulation of state policies.

Views by different Philosophers

The following are the philosophers who developed the concept of Utilitarianism −

Jeremy Bentham

Bentham was the first systematic founder of the Utilitarian school of political philosophy. He evolved his idea of utilitarianism based on human nature as he found that humans are selfish in their instincts thus always aiming at those things which makes them happy and ensures their safety against all odds. Therefore, he concluded that the true aim of the state is to promote the happiness of its people to the maximum extent possible.

Bentham wanted to bring reforms in England through laws as he found the existing legal system a mass of obscurities, frictions and formalities. Hence, he gave a list of 14 pleasures and 12 pains, so that lawgivers in England could codify those new laws which ensure the former and not the latter.

James Mill

James supported the Benthamite idea of division of acts based on utility. Additionally, he advocated that the state as a representative government, is a necessity for preventing unlawful encroachments and for safeguarding liberty of discussion.

John Staurt Mill

J. S. Mill was the last Utilitarian and foremost individualist scholar, who advocated for freedom of thought, however, he modified and narrowed Bentham’s doctrine. He advocated that pleasure differed in quality and quantity both. He also advanced that Utilitarianism is more concerned with general happiness of all instead of personal happiness of an individual. Thus, Mill expanded the internal ideas of Utilitarianism to limit its outer amplifications.

Conclusion

Utilitarianism was a break-through of the 19th century which emerged as a social force for several legal and political reforms in England. It contributed exceptionally in revamping of institutional structures and codification of news laws to complement the changing scenarios of the modern century. The theory also made several lasting impacts on social and legal jurisprudence across the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who propounded the idea of “greatest happiness of greatest number”?

The formula was first enunciated by Francis Hutcheson in the late 17th century however it was developed by Jeremy Bentham in the 19th century.

Who was the first theoretician of Utilitarianism?

Richard Cumberland was the first person who regarded general welfare as the highest good in the 16th century in his writings based on Hume and Locke’s ideas of human psychology.