-
maximizing utility as a principle not only for individuals
-
but also for communities and for legislators.
-
"What, after all, is a community?" Bentham asks.
-
It's the sum of the individuals who comprise it.
-
And that's why in deciding the best policy,
-
in deciding what the law should be, in deciding what's just,
-
citizens and legislators should ask themselves the question
-
if we add up all of the benefits of this policy
-
and subtract all of the costs,
-
the right thing to do is the one
-
that maximizes the balance of happiness over suffering.
-
That's what it means to maximize utility.