TWO SOVEREIGN MASTERS

“Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do.” – Jeremy Bentham

Utilitarianism

Hedonistic utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that focuses on the idea that the right thing to do is the one that creates the most happiness and reduces the most suffering. It’s built on a simple but powerful principle: actions should be judged based on their utility, which means their ability to increase pleasure and reduce pain.

At its heart, hedonistic utilitarianism says that the most important things in life are pleasure and pain. Pleasure is good, and pain is bad, so the best action is the one that increases pleasure and decreases pain for as many people as possible.

This idea stands out from many other moral theories:Some philosophers believe other things, like bravery, friendship, or knowledge, have value even if they don’t directly bring pleasure or reduce pain.

Others think morality is about following strict rules, like always telling the truth or respecting individual rights, no matter the consequences.

Hedonistic utilitarianism keeps it simple. It focuses only on what people feel—pleasure and pain—and avoids adding extra ideas that might complicate things unnecessarily.

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Why Simplicity is a Strength

One of the biggest advantages of hedonistic utilitarianism is how simple and clear it is. Philosophers often say that simpler ideas are more likely to be true than complicated ones, as long as they’re equally supported by evidence.

For example, imagine a theory that says bravery, friendship, and even something random like pineapples have value. It’s harder to believe because it feels arbitrary—why should pineapples be valuable? Adding extra elements to a theory without strong reasons makes it less convincing. I’d say it is improbable because of it is less uniform. Anyways, a vast majority of experts agree that one way or another adding more things, properties, commitments and so on is not a virtue.

Hedonistic utilitarianism avoids this problem by sticking to one basic idea: only pleasure and pain matter. This focus gives it a sense of consistency and clarity. If we agree that pain and pleasure are what should drives moral actions, why add anything else?

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The Trolley Problem: A Simple Test

To see how this idea works in practice, let’s look at a famous thought experiment: the trolley problem.

Imagine a runaway trolley speeding down a track. Ahead, five people are tied to the track and can’t move. You are standing next to a lever that can change the trolley’s direction onto a different track. However, one person is tied to that track. If you pull the lever, the trolley will kill one person instead of five.

What should you do?

Hedonistic utilitarianism gives a clear answer: pull the lever. The action reduces pain overall by saving five lives at the cost of one. It might feel like a tough choice, but the focus on minimizing suffering helps cut through the confusion.

This clarity is one reason hedonistic utilitarianism is such a powerful ethical tool. It helps us navigate difficult decisions by reminding us of what matters most: reducing suffering and increasing happiness.

To be continued……