Jeremy Bentham, a pioneer

Abstract

Jeremy Bentham, 1748-1832, was an English philosopher and one of the founders of modern utilitarianism, and he is considered to be one of the earliest proponents of animal rights. We can consider that Jeremy Bentham is in many aspects a pioneer of animal rights. Utilitarianism is the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its utility in providing happiness or pleasure as summed among all sentient beings. Bentham described it as "the greatest happiness or greatest felicity principle" Bentham applied ethical utilitarianism to animals. He said that because animals suffer, their happiness and wellbeing is relevant.