hedonistic utilitarianism

The theory that the validity of a law should be measured by determining the extent to which it would promote the greatest happiness to the greatest number of citizens.

• This theory is found most prominently in the work of Jeremy Bentham, whose “Benthamite utilitarianism” greatly influenced legal reform in 19th-century Britain. Hedonistic utilitarianism generally maintains that pleasure is intrinsically good and pain intrinsically bad. Therefore, inflicting pain, as by punishing a criminal, is justified only if it results in a net increase of pleasure by deterring future harmful behavior.

— Also termed Benthamism. See utilitarian-deterrence theory; BENTHAMITE. Cf. RETRIBUTIVISM.

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法律翻译Jessie，在一家亚洲一流律师事务所的北京办公室担任全职法律翻译，擅长翻译有关港口、铁路、公路与海运的法律文件。