Page 121 - Pure Life 36
P. 121
(
120 International Multi. J. of PURE LIFE, 10(36), Autumn. 2023
/
28&77; Ibid, 49: 9; Ibid, 59: 9; prioritizes public interest.
Ibid, 60: 8; Ibid, 76: 8) This is why John Rawls- an
American philosopher- considers
3. Precedence of Public utilitarianism incompatible with
Interest over Personal Interest individuals' fundamental and
Bentham established his ethical non-violable rights and
school of thought on the basis freedoms. (Peikherfeh, 2015: 100)
of the principle of utility, and From the perspective of
in explaining it, he stated: Qur’anic verses, in the face of
An action conforms to the pleasures, public interest must
principle of utility when the take precedence over personal
tendency it has to augment benefit.
the happiness of the In the Holy Qur’an, there is
community is greater than a group called the affluent
any it has to diminish it. who have forgotten about
The same criterion applies public interest. They waste
to the measures of their time in vain, are
government. (Bentham, unaware of the reality of the
2017: 7)
world, and are oblivious to
As can be observed, what is the suffering of others. In
important for Bentham in several places in the Qur’an,
utilitarianism is the increase this kind of happiness that
of societal happiness rather comes from excessive wealth
than individual happiness. and irresponsibility is
In other words, in a conflict condemned. (Ref: Qur’an, 28:
between public interest and 76-77; Ibid, 40: 75; Ibid, 42: 48;
personal benefit, Bentham Ibid, 51: 10-11; Ibid, 57: 23)
