Principle of Utilit

Running Head : UTILITY

Principle of Utility

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Principle of Utility

Undeniably , a big part of the nature of human beings is to seek pleasure and to evade pain . Logically , we would always want to venture into blissful experiences plainly because of the fact that it gives us happiness . On the other hand , pain is what we experience when our desires are left unfulfilled , when what we hope for do not happen , when are things do not go our

way , and more . In short , this is a feeling that most of us , if not all , would want to escape . And this pain and pleasure , according to Jeremy Bentham in his Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation , are the two sovereign masters that govern the lives of mankind . Likewise , the Principle of Utility states that actions or behaviors are right in so far as they promote happiness or pleasure wrong as they tend to produce unhappiness or pain ' Notably , this principle approves or disapproves something according to the propensity it appears to augment or reduce the happiness of the person or what promotes or opposes that happiness . In short , that which contributes the greatest happiness of those whose interest is in question is that which is right and proper , and vice versa

Everyday events always constitute instances wherein this principle is applied . For some people , we sometimes experience pleasure when we do the right thing , but this is not always the case . However , the principle then gives us its own strict standard of right and wrong . Consider two options : going out with someone whom he just recently met and whom he thinks is an ideal spouse or visiting his grandmother who has been hospitalized due to a fatal illness . If the principle of utility will be considered , taking into priority that which will give me happiness is that which is right , he would most likely choose the former . Going out on a date with someone whom he thinks is the ideal wife would be the most advantageous to him at present and in the future . In all probability , this situation will make him happy , considering his own interest . He may think that choosing the latter would and may be for the interest of the grandmother and may put forward pain in the future

References

Bentham , J . Of the Principle of Utility . Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation . 31 October 2007 . HYPERLINK "http /www .la .utexas .edu /research /poltheory /bentham /ipml /ipml .c01 .html http /www .la .utexas .edu /research /poltheory /bentham /ipml /ipml .c01 .html

White , R .F . The Principle of Utility . 1 November 2007 . HYPERLINK "http /inside .msj .edu /academics /faculty /whiter /UTILITY .htm http /inside .msj .edu /academics /faculty /whiter /UTILITY .htm

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