Quotations: Utilitarianism

The 13 quotations from the philosophers tied to this movement, each linked to the position it expresses.

Relation

Territory

Bentham7 quotations

All punishment in itself is evil. Upon the principle of utility, if it ought at all to be admitted, it ought only to be admitted in as far as it promises to exclude some greater evil.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. XIII, §2

On , their position:

By the principle of utility is meant that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. I, §2

On , their position:

Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense, nonsense upon stilts.

Anarchical Fallacies

On , their position:

Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. I, §1

On , their position:
On , their position:
On , their position:

Quantity of pleasure being equal, pushpin is as good as poetry.

The Rationale of Reward

On , their position:

The interest of the community then is, what? — the sum of the interests of the several members who compose it.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. I, §4

On , their position:

The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. XVII

On , their position:

Mill6 quotations

Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.

Utilitarianism, ch. 2

On , their position:

Everybody to count for one, nobody for more than one.

Utilitarianism, ch. V

On , their position:

Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides.

On Liberty, ch. 3

On , their position:

It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.

Utilitarianism, ch. 2

On , their position:
On , their position:
On , their position:

The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.

On Liberty, ch. 1

On , their position:

To silence the expression of an opinion is to rob the human race; those who dissent from it still more than those who hold it.

On Liberty, ch. 2

On , their position: