THE PRINCIPLE OF UTILITY IN THE VIEW OF J. BENTHAM

Abstract

The article considers the principle of utility in the view of the British economist and jurist
Jeremy Bentham. Historical origins of this principle are examined. The interdependence of the
principle and the sophistic school is shown.
The article reveals Jeremy Bentham’s point of view on the concepts of “society” and “individual”,
the right and law, “pleasure” and “suffering”, freedom of action and restriction of
liberty, rights and responsibilities.
Based on the analysis of different works, the authors specify the standpoint of Jeremy
Bentham, according to which the main objective of the government is to increase pleasure and
decrease sufferings of the individual and the society as a whole.
Also, the authors mention four sources from which, according to Bentham, “pleasure” and
“pain” derive: 1) physical, 2) political, 3) moral, and 4) religious. Their contents are revealed.