"It is the greatest good to the greatest number of people which is the measure of right and wrong"
- Jeremy Bentham
About this Quote
This quote by Jeremy Bentham is a statement of utilitarianism, a philosophical theory which specifies that the moral worth of an action is determined by its energy in supplying happiness or enjoyment to the greatest variety of people. To put it simply, the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its ability to bring the most benefit to one of the most people. Bentham's quote recommends that the greatest helpful for the greatest variety of people ought to be the step of what is right and incorrect. This implies that when making decisions, we must think about the impact of our actions on one of the most individuals, and focus on the best great for one of the most individuals. This is an ethical principle that can be used to various scenarios, from individual choices to public policy. Eventually, Bentham's quote encourages us to think of the consequences of our actions and focus on the best helpful for the most people.
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