“The Utilitarians of Their Day”?

Abstract

At the end of the 19th century, in an effort to reform the economic and social organisation along socialist lines, the first Fabians had to reflect on morality and the place of the individual in society. They derived their ideals and theories from various political and intellectual traditions, among which popular and liberal radicalism, Darwinism and ethical positivism. As for the utilitarian influence on the first Fabians, it is controversial. Though the Fabians admired the reformist endeavour of Bentham and his disciples, they openly rejected Utilitarianism. For them, it was a theory of the past that justified individualism. However, a study of the Fabian Essays in Socialism (1889) as well as other essays published by the seven essayists (Annie Besant, Hubert Bland, William Clarke, Sydney Olivier, George Bernard Shaw, Graham Wallas and Sidney Webb) shows that the Fabians reshaped some utilitarian principles to suit their objectives. They engaged with the utilitarian tradition, which extended far beyond Bentham and his disciples, especially when they studied moral questions, denounced private property of the means of production, or sought inspiration to reform society along rational lines. The Fabians were not direct heirs of Bentham. However, they were indirectly influenced by Utilitarianism. They even contributed to modifying the teachings of Utilitarianism, especially as they insisted on the quality of pleasures or as they put forward the notions of altruism and service of the community.