Principles of Morals and Legislation - Jeremy Bentham 1879

Civil law, Criminal law, Ethics, Law, Law / Criminal Law / General, Philosophy
/ Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Utilitarianism

One familiar way to think about the right thing to do is to ask what will produce the greatest

amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. This way of thinking about morality

finds its clearest expression in the philosophy of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832). In his

Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1780), Bentham argues that the

principle of utility should be the basis of morality and law, and by utility he understands

whatever promotes pleasure and prevents pain. Is the principle of utility the right guide to all

questions of right and wrong?