Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher and social reformer best known for founding utilitarianism, a normative ethical theory that suggests the best action is one that maximizes overall happiness or pleasure. Bentham argued that the moral worth of an action is determined by its consequences, emphasizing that we should consider how our actions affect the well-being of all. He believed in the principle of "the greatest happiness for the greatest number." Bentham's ideas also critique rigid rights theories, advocating for a flexible approach to ethics based on outcomes rather than fixed moral rules.