Question 18
Comment.
"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters pain and pleasure, it is for them alone to point out what we ought to do and what we shall do" Bentham.
"Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters pain and pleasure, it is for them alone to point out what we ought to do and what we shall do" Bentham.
The above comment by Bentham reflects his philosophy of Utilitarianism around which he has modeled an idea of State.
ReplyDeleteIn his book "An Introduction to Principles of Morals and Legislations", Bentham has examined a principle of utility, by which any human action can be objectively judged. Here, Bentham propounds that all human action seeks to avoid pain and gain pleasure or either. Therefore, the nature of man is governed by Pain and Pleasure directives.
Bentham's fundamental assumptions to human nature are twofold-
Firstly, all humans have same quality. Therefore, the pleasure/pain directive is quantitatively same amongst all humans. This marks a departure from Aristotlean school of thought that classifies human beings along lines of innate quality. Bentham rejects this view.
Secondly, no pain/pleasure is qualitatively greater than another. Here he says "Pushpin is as good as poetry", reiterating that pain/pleasure directives only have a quantitative nature, a person who enjoys poetry derives the same amount of pleasure from it as a man who enjoys playing with pushpin.
This objective view of human directives helps Bentham arrive at a measure for calculating Pleasure/Pain, this measure is called Hedonistic Calculus. Using this, he propounds the 'Greatest Happiness Principle' as a touchstone of State Policy to ensure a state that allows for the greatest happiness and least pain in the greatest number of people.
Thus, Bentham models both Collectivism and Individualism under the umbrella of Utilitarianism and seeks to bring about a Citizen-State relationship based entirely on quantitative estimation of legislation and moral action.
The above statements made English scholar Bentham in reference to the philosophy of utilitarianism. Bentham is considered as the Father of Utilitarianism. Utilitarianism was very popular among the masses due to it being easily understood.
ReplyDeleteLike Hobbes , Bentham too believed that man is guided by pleasure and pain. There is no superior soul like Socrates , all men are equal. There is no quality of pleasure rather only more pleasure or less pleasure. Thus he considers "push-pin as good as listening to poetry".
Pleasure can be quantified and he has given felicific calculus as a tool to calculate pleasure.Utilitarianism according to Bentham was policy that states should adopt. The happiness of greatest number of people should be the principle adopted by states. However it has only provided an excuse for capitalists to maximise their profits and neglect welfare of people.
Utilitarianism came under severe criticism with some scholars terming it as "pigs philosophy"Mill attempted to defend Bentham but ended up shaking the very foundations of utilitarianism.