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Is Utilitarianism an ideal way for citizens to accept as their philosophy in a society? The core ideology behind their philosophy is promoting actions that bring about the most quantitative value of pleasure and happiness within a society. The idea of encouraging actions or social policies that bring best overall consequences for the most amounts of people may sound plausible. However, the philosophy also overlooks some important aspects in society such as individual rights, which in turn can lead to violation of several ethical codes. While Bentham and Mill’s philosophy of utilitarianism emphasizes on opposing suffering and promoting happiness for the majority of the people, it also promotes several social and individual injustices that undermine the concept. This paper is a critique on Utilitarianism, and will show that any form of state that chooses to follow this philosophy will create an atmosphere of discord and discontent for its inhabitants in the long run.
To determine the problems of Utilitarianism, one must first identify the basic principles and concepts that make up the philosophy itself. Jeremy Bentham, the founder of Utilitarianism, lays this out in his paper The Principle of Utility. According to Bentham, utility is “property in any object, whereby it tends to produce benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness” (Bentham 102). In simpler terms, utility would be a property of producing pleasure or happiness in conscious beings. In Bentham’s point of view, promoting such pleasure and happiness is the most important part of utilitarianism. He states that the moral action for all people to do is to “prevent the happening of mischief, pain, evil, or unhappiness to the party whose interest is considered” (Bentham 102). So in Utilitarian terms, a man’s purpose in life is to execute actions that bring about the most happiness and pleasure, and minimize pain and suffering. One may see this as a selfish philosophy to follow, avoiding pain to seek pleasure. However, this is not entirely true, as Bentham states that one must keep in mind the interest of the community.
To determine the problems of Utilitarianism, one must first identify the basic principles and concepts that make up the philosophy itself. Jeremy Bentham, the founder of Utilitarianism, lays this out in his paper The Principle of Utility. According to Bentham, utility is “property in any object, whereby it tends to produce benefit, advantage, pleasure, good, or happiness” (Bentham 102). In simpler terms, utility would be a property of producing pleasure or happiness in conscious beings. In Bentham’s point of view, promoting such pleasure and happiness is the most important part of utilitarianism. He states that the moral action for all people to do is to “prevent the happening of mischief, pain, evil, or unhappiness to the party whose interest is considered” (Bentham 102). So in Utilitarian terms, a man’s purpose in life is to execute actions that bring about the most happiness and pleasure, and minimize pain and suffering. One may see this as a selfish philosophy to follow, avoiding pain to seek pleasure. However, this is not entirely true, as Bentham states that one must keep in mind the interest of the community.
