Acknowledgments Upon the completion of this thesis, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to people who have given me generous help and support in the course of writing.
First, my profound appreciation goes to, Professor Wang Min, my supervisor, for her guiding me through this long-term work step by step with numerous inspiring advices and crucial instructions. My thesis was gained modification and further refinement with her unlimited favor and help. My gratitude also extends to Mrs. Liao Jing, who provides us many useful writing tips in the e-mails in every writing stage.6665
Thanks last go to my best friend, Dai Bei, who provides lots of information and insightful ideas for my thesis. She also gives me much courage and strength to come over every difficult in the writing.
Abstract
Based on the theory of utilitarianism proposed by Jeremy Bentham, the thesis expounds destructive influence of utilitarianism on humanity by means of case study. The thesis falls into four parts. The first part is a brief introduction of Bentham’s utilitarianism philosophy, the important theoretical foundation of the entire thesis. Secondly, from the perspective of character analysis, it explores that how utilitarianism destroys human nature and eventually leads to main characters’ tragedies in Hard Times. Thirdly, from the perspective of realistic significance, the thesis makes a reflection on utilitarian phenomena in real life. In the final analysis, the thesis comes to a conclusion about the research subject. This thesis aims to explore the influence of utilitarianism in Hard Times on Humanity and presents that utilitarian moral principle turns people into ruthless fortune-seekers and distorts children’s innocent hearts. In reality, utilitarianism is also prevailing in our education system. Many students and teachers fall victim to utilitarianism and become utilitarians who seek fame and gain at any cost. Thus, the thesis is full of theoretical and realistic significance. Nevertheless, the analyses in this thesis are limited to some aspects, and in-depth analyses need to be explored in further study.
Key Words: utilitarianism philosophy, humanity, destructive influence
摘要
本论文以杰里米•边沁提出的功利主义作为理论基础，运用案例分析方法就功利主义对人性产生的破坏性影响进行分析。论文分为四部分内容。首先，对边沁提出的功利主义哲学思想作简单介绍，这部分内容是整篇论文重要的理论依据。接着，从人物性格分析角度来探讨功利主义是如何摧残人性，并最终导致《艰难时世》中主要人物的悲惨结局。然后，从现实意义角度反思当代生活中出现的功利主义现象。最后，对研究课题进行总结。本篇论文的写作目的是探讨《艰难时世》中的功利主义对人性的影响，从而揭示功利主义道德原则使人变成无情的利益追逐者，以及扭曲了少年儿童纯真的心灵。在现实社会中，我国的教育体制中也盛行功利主义。许多学生和老师成为功利主义的追随者，他们不惜一切代价追名逐利。因此，本篇论文充满理论意义和现实意义。但本论文的分析角度有一定局限性，更深层次的分析需要进一步研究。
关键词: 功利主义哲学，人性，破坏性影响
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements i
Abstract ii
摘要iii
1 Introduction. 1
2 A Brief Survey of the Philosophy of Utilitarianism3
2.1 The Historical Background and Origin of Utilitarianism.3
2.2 The Essence and Definition of Utilitarianism 4
2.3 Utilitarian Moral Principle in Hard Times6
3 The Analysis of Two Utilitarians and Other Main Characters in Hard Times7
3.1 Thomas Gradgrind...7
3.2 Josiah Bounderby. 9
3.3 Other Main Characters Affected by the Two Utilitarians..11 《艰难时世》中功利主义对人性的影响:http://www.751com.cn/yingyu/lunwen_4290.html