Benthamism

American  

[ben-thuh-miz-uhm, -tuh-] / ˈbɛn θəˌmɪz əm, -tə- /

noun

1. the utilitarian philosophy of Jeremy Bentham.

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Benthamism British  

/ ˈbɛnθəˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. the philosophy of utilitarianism as first expounded by Jeremy Bentham in terms of an action being good that has a greater tendency to augment the happiness of the community than to diminish it

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Other Word Forms

• Benthamic adjective
• Benthamite noun

Etymology

Origin of Benthamism

First recorded in 1820–30; Bentham + -ism

Example Sentences

Mr. Mill tells us how Wordsworth's poetry, little as he sympathised with Wordsworth's opinions, solaced an intellect wearied with premature Greek and over-doses of Benthamism.

From Hours in a Library New Edition, with Additions. Vol. II (of 3) by Stephen, Leslie, Sir

The argument shows the way in which his religious beliefs were combined with his Benthamism.

From The Life of Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Bart., K.C.S.I. A Judge of the High Court of Justice by Stephen, Leslie, Sir

Benthamism was thus a profoundly modifying force in other fields than that of politics.

From A Short History of English Liberalism by Blease, Walter Lyon

As the historian of British India, James Mill’s industry led him beyond his thesis of Benthamism in practice.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6 "English Language" to "Epsom Salts" by Various

But as a complete science of politics Benthamism is no longer possible.

From Human Nature in Politics Third Edition by Wallas, Graham