Final answer:
Jeremy Bentham's classical school of thought was founded on the principle of utilitarianism, focusing on actions that promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jeremy Bentham's classical school of thought was based on utilitarianism. This principle posits that an action is moral if it results in the greatest good for the greatest number of people. In his work 'An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation', Bentham elaborates on these ideas, focusing on the overall happiness that an action can generate rather than its intrinsic qualities. His influence extended to his friend James Mill and his son John Stuart Mill, who further popularized and adapted utilitarianism. John Stuart Mill, in particular, discussed how utilitarianism could fit within the context of representative governments, emphasizing individual freedom but acknowledging the potential conflicts that arise between people's natural rights. He introduced the harm principle, which suggests limiting a person's actions only to prevent harm to others. Bentham also underscored the concept of 'utility', assessing laws and actions based on whether the outcomes produce more happiness or pleasure than pain.