Given this historical context, it is understandable that Bentham used reason and science to explain human behaviour. His ethical system was an attempt to quantify happiness and the good so they would meet the conditions of the scientific method. Ethics had to be empirical, quantifiable, verifiable, and reproducible across time and space. Just as science was beginning to understand the workings of cause and effect in the body, so ethics would explain the causal relationships of the mind. Bentham rejected religious authority and wrote a rebuttal to the Declaration of Independence in which he railed against natural rights as “rhetorical nonsense, nonsense upon stilts." Instead, the fundamental unit of human action for him was utility-solid, certain, and factual.
What is utility? Bentham's fundamental axiom, which underlies utilitarianism, was that all social morals and government legislation should aim for producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Utilitarianism, therefore, emphasizes the consequences or ultimate purpose of an act rather than the character of the actor, the actor's motivation, or the particular circumstances surrounding the act. It has these characteristics: (1) universality, because it applies to all acts of human behaviour, even those that appear to be done from altruistic motives; (2) objectivity, meaning it operates beyond individual thought, desire, and perspective; (3) rationality, because it is not based in metaphysics or theology; and (4) quantifiability in its reliance on utility. (353 words)
(Extracted from Michael Quinn, “Jeremy Bentham, “The Psychology of Economic Man,' and Behavioural Economics,” Oeconomia 6, no. 1 (2016): 3–32)
Understanding Bentham's Fundamental Axiom
The provided text discusses Jeremy Bentham's ethical framework, particularly his foundational ideas for utilitarianism, within the context of historical events and the rise of scientific thought. Bentham aimed to establish ethics on a rational and scientific basis, moving away from traditional religious or natural rights doctrines.
Bentham's Scientific Approach to Ethics
Bentham believed that ethics, like other sciences, should be based on reason and evidence. He advocated for an ethical system that was:
- Empirical: Based on observation and experience.
- Quantifiable: Measurable and calculable.
- Verifiable: Able to be checked for truth.
- Reproducible: Consistent across different times and places.
He rejected abstract concepts like "natural rights," famously calling them "rhetorical nonsense, nonsense upon stilts." Instead, he focused on the tangible concept of "utility" as the basis for human action and moral judgment.
Defining Utilitarianism's Core Principle
Utilitarianism is Bentham's ethical system designed to quantify happiness and determine what is good based on observable outcomes. The text explicitly states Bentham's fundamental axiom that underlies this system. This axiom serves as the guiding principle for both individual actions and societal structures.
According to the text, Bentham's fundamental axiom is that "All social morals and government legislation should aim for producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people." This principle forms the bedrock of utilitarianism, emphasizing the outcome or consequence of actions rather than the intentions behind them.
Analyzing the Provided Options
Let's examine why the other options are not identified as Bentham's fundamental axiom:
Option 1: Ethics must be empirical, quantifiable, and reproducible.
While the text mentions these characteristics are essential for Bentham's ethical system to align with the scientific method, they describe the *methodology* and *requirements* of his ethics, not the core axiom itself. The axiom is the *goal* that this methodology serves.
Option 2: Utility must be used to reject religious authority.
Bentham did reject religious authority and natural rights, favouring utility. However, the rejection of religious authority is a consequence or a supporting element of his utilitarian framework, not the fundamental axiom that defines the ultimate goal of his system.
Option 3: All social morals and government legislation should aim for producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
This option is directly quoted in the text as "Bentham's fundamental axiom, which underlies utilitarianism." It clearly defines the ultimate objective and guiding principle of his ethical and political philosophy.
Option 4: The character of the actor is the most important aspect of an ethical act.
The text explicitly states the opposite: "Utilitarianism, therefore, emphasizes the consequences or ultimate purpose of an act rather than the character of the actor...". This option contradicts the core tenets of utilitarianism as described.
Therefore, the fundamental axiom identified by Bentham for his utilitarian system is the principle of maximizing happiness for the largest number of people.
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