1831 Aug. 7.

Logic and Language

Practical

Ch.1 Language in general

§4 Properties desirable

§4. Properties desirable.

Only for the sake of the one or the other of the two uses to which language is applicable is language worth considering.

Only with a view to the properties

desirable in language, that is to say, the properties by means of which it is rendered subservient or say conducive to one or other or both these uses, is language worth considering.

The properties desirable in language are the properties subservient to the end in view or say object of language.

On the part of each individual, the end in view of the language employed by him is the maximization of his own happiness: with a view to the moment in question, at any rate, and resultant exception: with a view to future contingent moments, in any numbers and at any distance from the their present, as it may happen.

On the part of any individual by whom the subject of language is taken in hand with a view to and under the guidance of the greatest happiness principle, the end[?] in view in taking in hand the subject of language is the maximization of the happiness of the aggregate of human kind.

The properties desirable in language collectively taken, and the properties desirable in each language severally taken, coincide.

The properties actually possessed by the several languages actually in existence (time present and times past included) are in an indefinite degree different: not in any two languages, exactly the same: add, uses in any two dialects.