Hedonic Calculus – Case Study

To analyse the proposition of putting forward £25 million for supplying canes and reintroducing discipline instead of helping the elderly, I will use Bentham’s hedonic calculus. Obviously there will be different types of happiness which I will cover using the seven parts of the calculus.

Extent – As a result of reintroducing canes there is not likely going to be many happy students due to the introduction of the cane. Most children will initially think that introducing the cane is bad due to the fact that it hurts. It is unlikely that they will immediately think that the introduction of the cane is in fact a good idea as in the future it will cause better exam grades and then possibly better universities and jobs. If the money was given to help the elderly instead then there would be a lot more immediate happiness due to the improved health care

Propinquity – The happiness generated from the higher discipline in schools will result in higher grades and maybe happiness later on in life. These good grades could get them a good job which would lead to happiness in later life and not at their time at school which they probably wouldn’t enjoy as much. If the money went to the elderly the happiness would take an immediate effect as if you were treated better now you would most likely feel better now then at a later date.

Duration – The duration of the happiness of the school children could last for the rest of their non-schooling life as the good grades could lead to a greater career and therefore a longer amount of happiness. If the money went to the elderly then the happiness would last for a decent amount of time, ultimately depending on the length of their life left to live.

Intensity – The improved discipline would lead to a 15% increase in grades which would result in a pretty intense happiness. Also the improved discipline would make you work harder, making the feeling of achieving better grades more intense than if you just got better grades making for a more intense happiness. The intenseness of the happiness of the elderly would likely be less than that of the students as they would probably take the improved health care for granted. For example if you got better lunches you would just take the improved meals for granted and the intensity of happiness is unlikely to be that high.