Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 42:2 (NA 1991)
Article: Theological Utilitarianism And The Eclipse Of The Theistic Sanction
Author: Graham A. Cole

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TynBul 42:1 (1991) p. 226

Theological Utilitarianism And The Eclipse Of The Theistic Sanction

Graham Cole

Utilitarianism as a moral philosophy ‘is essentially English’, and, ‘constitutes the largest contribution made by the English to moral and political theory’, according to Oxford philosopher John Plamenatz.1 Although there were similar philosophies on the Continent at the time, for Plamenatz the four great utilitarians remain Hume, Bentham, James Mill and his son, John Stuart Mill. (What the Scot David Hume may have thought of being included amongst the English, Plamenatz does not pause to consider). Still others have pointed out that utilitarian moral theory is of no mere antiquarian concern, but represents a living philosophical tradition.2 Indeed, Alan Ryan describes it as ‘the best known of all moral theories’.3

Theological utilitarianism, on the other hand, is not a living philosophical tradition. Its last great exponent, William Paley, died in 1805. If it is mentioned at all by scholars and its history rehearsed, then the object is to set the scene for Bentham and Mill. After that the category becomes otiose. Indeed some scholars do not employ the expression ‘theological utilitarianism’ at all in their discussions of the period, and others, if they do, they do so in a highly qualified way.4 However, as a tradition of moral thought

TynBul 42:1 (1991) p. 227

theological utilitarianism deserves scholarly attention in its own right. If the beginnings of the tradition are located by the publication of John Gay’s Dissertation Concerning the Fundamental Principle of Virtue or Morality in 1731 and its culmination by the publication of William Paley’s Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy in 1785, then for over fifty years this particular style of moral thinking was an important feature of the varied landscape of 18th century English moral thought.5

In this article theological utilitarianism is reconsidered. The origins of the term ‘theological utilitarianism’ are explored. Next, the key figures in the tradition are discussed from John Gay to William Paley. The role of eschatology in the tradition is given particular attention, since it is the contention of this article that eschatology is a key characteristic of theological utilitarianism. Further, since theological utilitarianism is no longer a living force some consideration is given to its eclipse and Bentham’s success. Further again, the d...

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