Theory of Pleasure and Pain

Abstract

Proceeding to consider how pleasure and pain can be estimated as magnitudes, we must undoubtedly accept what Bentham has laid down upon this subject. “To a person,” he says,¹ “considered by himself, the value of a pleasure or pain, considered by itself, will be greater or less according to the four following circumstances :—

• (1) Its intensity.

• (2) Its duration.

• (3) Its certaintyor uncertainty.

• (4) Its propinquityor remoteness.