Final answer:
Jeremy Bentham aimed to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number through the principle of utilitarianism, with a major influence on ethics, economics, law, and public policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jeremy Bentham had the goal of producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number. He articulated the principle of utility, which posits that actions are right in so far as they tend to promote happiness and wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. This principle laid the foundation for the consequentialist moral philosophy known as utilitarianism, which was further developed and popularized by John Stuart Mill.
Bentham's and Mill's utilitarianism influenced not only ethical and political theory but also had practical implications in areas such as economics, law, and public policy. They advocated that actions, laws, and governmental policies should be evaluated based on their consequences—specifically, whether they contribute to the overall happiness and well-being of society. This emphasis on societal happiness as a determinant of moral rightness remains a significant aspect of ethical discussion and application today.