Bentham Quote by Yuval Noah Harari
““Yet over the last few decades the tables have turned, and Bentham’s vision has been taken far more seriously. People increasingly believe that the immense systems established more than a century ago to strengthen the nation should actually serve the happiness and well-being of individual citizens. We are not here to serve the state – it is here to serve us. The right to the pursuit of happiness, originally envisaged as a restraint on state power, has imperceptibly morphed into the right to happiness –””
About This Quote
Source Book: Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari, 2015
The quote argues that modern societies are shifting from state‑centric utility to individual happiness, turning Bentham’s principle of limiting state power into a broader right to personal well‑being.
In simple terms: Society now prioritizes individual happiness over state goals.
Key Takeaway
Focus on policies that empower personal fulfillment.
Themes
individual rights
state power
utilitarianism
happiness
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- public policy
- social welfare
- urban planning
- healthcare reform
Key Concepts
social contract
liberalism
well‑being
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance individual happiness with communal duties?
- What safeguards prevent excess individualism?
A Different Perspective
The shift may overlook collective responsibilities and social cohesion.
