Final answer:
Jeremy Bentham aimed to establish utilitarianism, a mathematical and systematic approach, as a guide to social ethics by advocating for actions that maximize happiness for the most people.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jeremy Bentham, a pivotal figure in the development of utilitarianism, sought to create a mathematical system to guide ethical decisions within society. This approach was grounded in the principle of utility, which proposes that the morality of an action is determined by its ability to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Bentham's utilitarianism evaluates actions by their consequences, particularly in terms of the pleasure and pain they produce. The overarching aim was to apply a rational and systematic approach to social ethics, thereby maximizing well-being in various aspects of societal functioning, including laws, policies, and individual actions.