#116: Jeremy Bentham & Utilitarianism
English Learning for Curious Minds
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What Is Happiness? Bentham's Utilitarian Framework
Bentham's utilitarian framework wasn't trying to provide the meaning of happiness. Instead, he was providing a framework for how we should think about decision-making. He expanded his theories to evaluate the laws around everything from economics to sexuality and animal rights. In terms of sexuality, Bentham suggested that homosexual acts resulted in pleasure for people who felt the desire to do them; therefore it made no sense for them to be prohibited by law. And he agreed that animals could be killed if the pleasure that was obtained from their death was greater than the pain caused.
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