Jeremy Bentham was born in 1748 and died in 1832. He was a philosopher and social reformer who instituted the basic principles of utilitarian ethics (Waller, 2008). To better understand how the principles of utilitarian ethics were set forth by Bentham, we must first get a better understanding of what utilitarian ethics are.
Utilitarian ethics: When any act or policy produces a balance of pleasure over pain. Then it has to be right. Utilitarian believe everyone wants to enjoy pleasure and avoid pain and that anything that produces that has to be right (Waller, 2008).
Bentham believed that all pleasures are equal and that one pleasure could not be favored over the other because they are both of the same quality (Waller, 2008).
Bentham believed that all laws and acts that benefit the greatest number of people when it come to pleasure over suffering are right. He took into affect the principles of utility that determines what we should do and to determine what we shall do. He was making a reference of the standard between right and wrong (Waller, 2008).
I agree with Bentham that all pleasures when it comes to acts or laws that benefit the greatest number of people are right. I do, on the other hand disagree that all pleasures are equal. For instance; If I were to win 10 million dollars in the lottery, my pleasure would benefit a great number of people. I would take care of family and relatives, However, if I won 100 dollars in the lottery, it would still be pleasurable but I would not be able to do for others. The fact remains that anytime pleasure can override pain and suffering, It is a good thing.