Off-campus SJSU users: To download campus access theses, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your SJSU library user name and PIN.

Publication Date

Spring 2014

Degree Type

Thesis - Campus Access Only

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Philosophy

Advisor

William Shaw

Keywords

Bentham, Egoism, Jeremy Bentham, Psychological Egoism, Utilitarian, Utilitarianism

Subject Areas

Philosophy

Abstract

This thesis examines one type of misunderstanding of a core element of Jeremy Bentham's utilitarian moral theory. Specifically, it is sometimes claimed that Bentham believed that self-interest was simply in harmony with the interests of a community such that they could not be in conflict. This thesis argues that Bentham thought they were often in conflict, and that his moral theorizing was meant to seek ways to harmonize them and thereby promote the happiness of societies as much as possible.

Download

Share

COinS