Question

Who states that "nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure"?

• A. Mill
• B. Bentham
• C. Kant
• D. Aristotle

Hint:

Bentham’s philosophy is based on the idea that pleasure and pain are the driving forces behind human actions, forming the basis of his utilitarian ethics.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding Bentham's Hedonism.
Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher and the founder of utilitarianism, famously said, "nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure." This is a fundamental idea in his philosophy of hedonism, which holds that the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain are the ultimate goals of human life.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options.
- 1. Mill: John Stuart Mill, a follower of Bentham, further developed utilitarianism but did not coin this phrase. - 2. Bentham: This is correct. Bentham emphasized that pleasure and pain are the central motivating forces for human behavior. - 3. Kant: Kant's philosophy is based on duty and moral law, not on pleasure and pain. - 4. Aristotle: Aristotle focused on virtue and the concept of eudaimonia (flourishing) rather than hedonism.
Step 3: Conclusion. The correct answer is 2. Bentham.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{The correct answer is 2. Bentham.}} \]