Hedonistic Calculus

Hedonistic calculus is a method for measuring the potential pleasure or pain generated by actions, helping individuals decide the best course of action. Developed by philosopher Jeremy Bentham, it involves evaluating factors like intensity, duration, certainty, and the number of people affected by an action. Essentially, it quantifies the overall happiness or suffering that could result from different choices, aiming to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. This approach is often used in ethical discussions to weigh the consequences of actions, promoting decisions that benefit the greatest number of people.