Who is regarded as the founder of modern utilitarianism?

The founder of modern utilitarianism is Jeremy Bentham, who introduced the principle of utility, which posits that the best action is the one that maximizes happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. Bentham's philosophy is grounded in the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome, particularly its contribution to overall happiness. He proposed a quantitative approach to ethics, suggesting that actions could be evaluated based on their consequences. This notion significantly influenced later thinkers and laid the groundwork for utilitarianism as a school of thought in ethics and political philosophy.

Bentham's work contrasts with the ideas of Karl Marx, who focused on class struggle and economic factors rather than happiness as a measure of morality. Adam Smith, while influential in economics with his ideas on capitalism, did not frame his theories in terms of utilitarian ethics. Similarly, David Ricardo is known for his contributions to economic theory, particularly in the areas of comparative advantage and rent, rather than for any ethical framework. Thus, Jeremy Bentham stands out as the figure who established modern utilitarianism, emphasizing the ethical consequences of actions on collective well-being.