Editing Utilitarianism (section)

==== John Gay ====
Some claim that [[John Gay (philosopher)|John Gay]] developed the first systematic theory of utilitarian ethics.<ref>Ashcraft, Richard (1991) John Locke: Critical Assessments (Critical assessments of leading political philosophers), Routledge, p. 691</ref> In ''Concerning the Fundamental Principle of Virtue or Morality'' (1731), Gay argues that:<ref>{{cite book |last= Gay |first= John |editor-first= J. B. |editor-last= Schneewind |title= Moral Philosophy from Montaigne to Kant |publisher= Cambridge University Press |year=2002 |page=408 |chapter= Concerning the Fundamental Principle of Virtue or Morality |isbn= 978-0-521-00304-9}}</ref>
{{blockquote|happiness, private happiness, is the proper or ultimate end of all our actions... each particular action may be said to have its proper and peculiar end…(but)…they still tend or ought to tend to something farther; as is evident from hence, [[viz.]] that a man may ask and expect a reason why either of them are pursued: now to ask the reason of any action or pursuit, is only to enquire into the end of it: but to expect a reason, i.e. an end, to be assigned for an ultimate end, is absurd. To ask why I pursue happiness, will admit of no other answer than an explanation of the terms.|author=|title=|source=}}

This pursuit of happiness is given a [[Theology|theological]] basis:<ref>{{cite book |last= Gay |first= John |editor-first= J. B. |editor-last= Schneewind |title= Moral Philosophy from Montaigne to Kant |publisher= Cambridge University Press |year=2002 |pages=404–05 |chapter= Concerning the Fundamental Principle of Virtue or Morality |isbn= 978-0-521-00304-9}}</ref>
{{blockquote|Now it is evident from the nature of God, viz. his being infinitely happy in himself from all eternity, and from his goodness manifested in his works, that he could have no other design in creating mankind than their happiness; and therefore he wills their happiness; therefore the means of their happiness: therefore that my behaviour, as far as it may be a means of the happiness of mankind, should be such...thus the will of God is the immediate criterion of Virtue, and the happiness of mankind the criterion of the will of God; and therefore the happiness of mankind may be said to be the criterion of virtue, but once removed…(and)…I am to do whatever lies in my power towards promoting the happiness of mankind.|author=|title=|source=}}