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How did utilitarianism become a movement for reforming social institutions in the 19th century?
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Utilitarianism
English philosopher and economist Jeremy Bentham's preserved skeleton in his own clothes and surmounted by a wax head, at University College London.
In the 19th century, utilitarianism evolved into a powerful movement for social reform, primarily through the work of Jeremy Bentham and his followers, who were known as philosophical radicals. This movement sought to test all existing institutions and policies against the principle of utility, which posits that the best action is that which produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number.1
The movement became a catalyst for institutional change through several key methods:
- Legislative Reform: Bentham designed his philosophy to serve as a guide for legislation, aiming to maximize community happiness by creating an identity of interests among citizens.1
- Political Advocacy: Disciples such as James Mill and John Stuart Mill utilized utilitarian arguments to champion representative government, universal male suffrage, woman suffrage, and freedom of speech.1
- Policy Application: Utilitarian logic was applied to diverse fields, including economics, prison discipline, and education, often replacing traditional or retributive justifications with rationales based on deterrence and social efficiency.12
Ultimately, the movement was remarkably successful, as utilitarian arguments became a standard tool for advocating for progressive social change through peaceful political processes.2