Final answer:
Mr. Thomas Gradgrind and Mr. Josiah Bounderby in Charles Dickens's 'Hard Times' are both concerned with the principles of utilitarianism. They prioritize practical outcomes over emotional or moral aspects, embodying the industrial revolution's efficiency-driven mentality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Gradgrind's character Mr. Thomas Gradgrind and Mr. Josiah Bounderby's character Mr. Josiah Bounderby in Charles Dickens's novel Hard Times are both concerned with utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is a philosophical view where the best action is the one that maximizes utility, typically defined as that which produces the greatest well-being of the greatest number of people. In the context of the novel, Gradgrind and Bounderby exemplify this philosophy through their actions and views on education and economics. They prioritize facts, statistics, and practical outcomes over emotions or individual fulfillment.
Gradgrind is known for his insistence on facts and data, often neglecting the emotional and moral aspects of education as he runs his school. Bounderby, on the other hand, is a self-made businessman who espouses hard work and utilitarian principles in his dealings. Both characters serve as critiques of the industrial revolution's focus on efficiency and productivity at the expense of human compassion and social responsibility. As figures deeply immersed in the utilitarian ideology, they highlight the dehumanizing effects of such a worldview in the Victorian era.
The complete question is:
Whichelm and Bitzer are both concerned with:_____