Quote by Jeremy Bentham
The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.
Summary
This quote, often attributed to the philosopher Jeremy Bentham, emphasizes the notion that the overall well-being and happiness of the majority is the basis for establishing moral principles and laws in society. It suggests that actions and policies should ultimately aim to maximize happiness for the greatest number of people. This principle, known as utilitarianism, promotes the idea that the ethical value of an action should be determined by its overall consequences in terms of happiness and unhappiness. Therefore, when making moral and legislative decisions, the welfare and happiness of the majority should be prioritized.