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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Benthamite
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A quick definition of Benthamite:
A Benthamite is someone who follows the ideas of Jeremy Bentham, a philosopher who believed that the best way to make society better is to do things that make the most people happy. This is called utilitarianism. It means that we should do things that create pleasure and avoid things that cause pain. Benthamites believe that laws should be made to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. They also think that punishing someone is only okay if it stops them from doing something bad in the future.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Benthamite refers to the utilitarian theory of Jeremy Bentham, which is a philosophical and economic doctrine that believes the best social policy is one that does the most good for the greatest number of people. It judges the rightness or wrongness of actions based on the pleasure they create or the pain they inflict, and recommends whatever action creates the greatest good for the greatest number.
Examples: Benthamite utilitarianism greatly influenced legal reform in 19th-century Britain. Jeremy Bentham believed that laws should be measured by determining the extent to which they promote the greatest happiness to the greatest number of citizens. For example, if punishing a criminal results in a net increase of pleasure by deterring future harmful behavior, then it is justified. This theory takes the point of view of society rather than the individual inventor, author, or artist, and justifies intellectual-property rights as an incentive for social and technological progress.
Explanation: Benthamite utilitarianism is a theory that focuses on the overall happiness and well-being of society. It believes that laws and policies should be designed to benefit the greatest number of people. The examples illustrate how this theory influenced legal reform in 19th-century Britain and how it justifies intellectual-property rights. It also shows how the theory justifies punishment if it results in a net increase of pleasure by deterring future harmful behavior. Overall, Benthamite utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that judges the morality of actions based on their outcomes.