According to theory of Utilitarianism, an action or actions are just if they promote the greater good for the majority people involved. The city councilmen of Charlestown believed that redeveloping Pleasant Ridge would benefit all the residents living in the community. They cited that this redevelopment program would decrease many problems impacting the community such as crime, drugs, and animal control issues. However, Bentham’s Utilitarianism explains that pleasure is sole criteria to determine if an action or actions are appropriate . He believed that these pleasures will either help increase the happiness of all members in the community or reduce the pain for everyone affected (Shaw 50). The city councilmen of Charlestown did not express concerns for each individual pleasure in Pleasant Ridge. Even though, they thought that the residents would be happy about the decisions that they were making. …show more content…
Everyone in Pleasant Ridge had different feelings towards the seizure of their property. Some landowners willingly gave their property away because they did not want to pay for the upkeep. Yet, some viewed the seizure to be terrible and horrendous. When the first redevelopment plan was introduced, the Pleasant Ridge community opposed it. Yet, the city councilmen continued to overlook the opposition by striving to pass the redevelopment program. Also, Mills believed that if a persons’ rights are violated than the act or actions could be considered unjust (Shaw 50). The mayor of Charlestown used shadowy tactics such as citations to persuade people to leave their homes. However, these tactics did not violate people’s rights to stay in their homes, thus they can be considered just. Mills considered that rights are valid only if society validates them. Society has created laws and rules that tell people what they can and cannot