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

• Benthamite
  noun
• Benthamic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Benthamism

First recorded in 1820–30; Bentham + -ism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Benthamism

For this was the age of Benthamism in social philosophy and "German neology" in biblical criticism.

From The Political History of England - Vol XI From Addington's Administration to the close of William IV.'s Reign (1801-1837) by Brodrick, George C. (George Charles)

Mill's concessions to Coleridge rather scandalised the faithful; and it is enough to observe here that it marks the apogee of Mill's Benthamism.

From The English Utilitarians, Volume II (of 3) James Mill by Stephen, Leslie, Sir

Typical, too, of the later Benthamism is his glorification of reason as the great key which is to unlock all doors.

From Political Thought in England from Locke to Bentham by Laski, Harold Joseph

Mill's propaganda of Benthamism was for some time obscure.

From The English Utilitarians, Volume II (of 3) James Mill by Stephen, Leslie, Sir

Bentham himself was an admirer of Owen and supported his philanthropy, but, as expressions of a social attitude, Benthamism and Owenism were poles asunder.

From Recent Developments in European Thought by Various