Jeremy Bentham (Utilitarianism)

Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher and social reformer who founded the ethical theory known as utilitarianism. This theory suggests that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or pleasure while minimizing pain. Bentham believed that actions should be evaluated based on their consequences, with the goal of benefiting the greater good. He famously introduced the "felicific calculus," a method to measure pleasure and pain resulting from actions. His ideas laid the groundwork for modern ethics and influenced various fields, including law and public policy, by emphasizing the importance of outcomes for society as a whole.