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Why did Bentham use a lot of Science in his theory?

User Karmi
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Final answer:

Jeremy Bentham incorporated scientific principles into his utilitarianism philosophy to objectively assess human behavior and moral acts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jeremy Bentham used a lot of science in his theory because he believed that objective methods could be applied to the study of human behavior and the organization of society. Bentham's utilitarianism, which advocates for actions and laws to be judged by their utility or by the extent to which they contribute to the 'greatest happiness for the greatest number', borrows the empirical and rational approach of the sciences to assess the moral worth of actions. His friend James Mill, and Mill's son, John Stuart Mill, further expanded on Bentham's ideas, applying them to a wide range of social issues, including the conduct of clinical trials and the responsibilities of researchers to their subjects.

The emphasis on science within Bentham's theory can also be seen as a part of the broader Enlightenment intellectual movement that championed reason and the empirical study of the world as a means to progress and improve the human condition. This approach to understanding and organizing society was in line with the thinking of other Enlightenment figures such as Francis Bacon and Auguste Comte, who also advocated for empirical and rational methodologies in the advancement of human knowledge and society.

User Fahrradflucht
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