Hedonistic calculation
The Hedonistic calculus , even felicific calculus called, can apply as an objective of the legislation, satisfactions to increase and prevent pain (pleasures). The concept comes from Jeremy Bentham , who, together with John Stuart Mill , is considered to be the founder of modern utilitarianism .
According to Bentham, the amount of satisfaction - related to an individual - depends on four circumstances:
- Intensity,
- Duration,
- Probability of their occurrence (certainty) and
- temporal proximity (propinquity).
The same applies to pain.
In addition, one has to take into account that satisfaction and pain can lead to further satisfaction and pain. One must therefore include:
- their fertility (fecundity) and
- their purity.
A satisfaction is fruitful when it leads to further such satisfaction. A satisfaction is pure when it is unlikely to cause pain. The same applies to pain.
If the calculation is based on a collective of individuals, the seventh aspect for determining the size of a satisfaction or a pain is added:
- the distribution (extent).
This means the number of people who have the satisfaction or the pain.
For the total calculation of the value of the action, one adds the happiness of the individuals in the first instance and subtracts the suffering caused in the first instance. Added to this is the subsequent happiness / suffering (see fertility and purity), the overall tendency then enables a precise evaluation of the action.
Bentham believed that with this kind of moral calculation, legislation became a matter of arithmetic . He hoped to find general utility calculation methods that would produce consistent results.
See also
literature
- Jeremy Bentham: Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation ; Chapter IV - Value of a Lot of Pleasure and Pain, how to be measured