The intensive review and annotation of pages 14 through 16 of Jeremy Bentham’s Chapter 1: Of The Principle Utility reinforced my understanding of utilitarianism as a consequentialist theory. Utilitarianism emphasizes the output rather than the input of a set of actions. Specifically, Bentham formulated the Greatest Happiness Principle, which assumes that people will choose the action that maximizes the overall balance of pleasure over pain, to contextualize utilitarianism. Examining the principle of utilitarianism in this manner expanded my understanding of utility’s presence in our current society, while also prompting questions regarding terminology’s impact in the study of Bentham’s theory. Finally, the Greatest Happiness Principle made me consider the potential need to weigh utilitarianism against competing theoretical principles or concepts.
My first step to truly understand Bentham and his idea of utilitarianism was to research relevant terminology. I started by investigating the meaning of this quote, “the object of which is to rear the fabric of felicity by the hands of reason and of law.” (Bentham 14) When I was unable to find significant context or meaning behind the saying “fabric of felicity,” I deepened my research and looked into the meaning of each word. According to Merriam Webster, the word felicity means “the quality or state of being happy” and to rear is “to bring to maturity or self-sufficiency usually through nurturing care.” Through this research, I was able to conclude that Bentham believes the object of utilitarianism is to bring happiness. This close analysis of vocabulary throughout the reading helped me fuse other principles we’ve learned in class with this text because of my understanding of utilitarianism itself.
I started my annotations by investigating the historical context of utilitarianism, and I learned that Bentham created this theory during the 18th century. This information influenced my thoughts on his theory considering the contrasts between how he would apply his theory in his time relative to how I would apply it as a 21st century reader. My modern perspective allowed me to connect current government agencies and systems to some of Bentham’s sections. For example, in my section VII annotations, I commented on the government and questioned whether it is the state’s job to provide happiness to people or ensure that society remains organized and controlled (Bentham 15). In other words, should the government prioritize its job to ensure the happiness and minimized pain of society (leaning more towards utilitarianism), or should it ensure that society remains in order regardless of the people’s happiness? Specifically, government entities such as public schools seem to use more of a cost-benefit analysis that resembles utilitarianism but is less effectively applied. Further analysis led me to contrast ideas that involve the blending of other principles and concepts alongside utilitarianism, so that they might be able to more effectively meet the needs of current government processes.
From my perspective, if utilitarianism cannot work alone, it can be combined with other theories in order to work more effectively. The most important part of my annotations were the connections I made with Robert Cover’s Nomos and Narrative and Bentham’s Utilitarian Theory. Bentham states that “On the one hand the standard of right and wrong, on the other the chain of causes and effects, are fastened to their throne.” (Bentham 14) The throne refers to the balance of pleasure over pain. In his essay, Cover explores the idea of “right” and “wrong” being ever-changing concepts of our society, which inevitably influence the process of lawmaking. In my annotations, I united both these ideas of right and wrong and found they could work together. It would require the government to acknowledge that societal rights and wrongs are always changing, which means that laws should be continuously re-evaluated, based on Cover’s interpretation. Utilitarianism would help decide which of these ever-changing laws would produce the most pleasurable outcome for society as a whole. This combination of theories and concepts could continue and create countless beneficial solutions.
Overall, I believe that utilitarianism will play a significant role in our world, whether it sticks to its traditional form or changes. It is more important now than ever to look deeply at concepts through vocabulary, the comparison of different theories, and modern-day perspectives to understand and find ways to elevate these principles from mere concepts to applied ways of thinking that govern our everyday lives.
Work Cited
Bentham, Jeremy. An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Batoche Books, 2000.
Cover, Robert M. THE SUPREME COURT 1982 TERM. Harvard Law Review, 1982