Good and Just Societies: Understanding The Prince through Utilitarianism
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Research Subject Categories::HUMANITIES and RELIGION::Aesthetic subjects::Literature,Research Subject Categories::HUMANITIES and RELIGION::History and philosophy subjects::Philosophy subjects::Practical philosophy,Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Sociology
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The Prince Understood Through Utilitarianism
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By applying Bentham’s principle of utility to Machiavelli’s The Prince, we can understand the different forms a good and just society can take. Machiavelli proposes that fear can be utilized to maintain stability and security, while Bentham argues for the maximization of happiness among the people. In some circumstances, the two can align, when the stability and security gained through the use of fear provide benefits to the whole society, not just the ruler. In these instances, utilitarianism can be used to justify the actions outlined in The Prince when evaluated by their capacity to maximize the happiness of the people.
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Spring 2026
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Honors Scholar Program