Jeremy Bentham
Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher, jurist, and social reformer who is considered to be the founder of modern utilitarianism. A self-described utilitarian, he developed ideas that are still important to our understanding of modern ethics, law, and government. He is best known for his defense of the principle of utilitarianism, which holds the greatest good of the greatest number of people as its highest goal.
Bentham was born in London in 1748, the son of an attorney. He was educated at Queens’ College, Oxford, where he earned a B.A. and a Master’s degree. After graduating, he embarked on a career in law, becoming a barrister in 1769. However, he quickly turned his attention to social reform, publishing works such as Fragment on Government (1776), An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789), and The Theory of Legislation (1802). Through these works, he argued for a form of government based on the principle of utility, or the greatest good for the greatest number. He was a staunch opponent of the death penalty, believing that securing the well-being of society depended on other, more humane punishments. He was also a strong defender of freedom of speech and various other civil liberties.
Bentham was a strong advocate of the panopticon, a model of prison design he proposed in the late 1700s. Based on his utilitarian principles, his idea was to construct a prison that would allow its inmates to be constantly observed but not noticed. The panopticon became an influential principle that is still used in prison design today.
Bentham’s influence extended far beyond his work as a philosopher, jurist, and social reformer. He was an early proponent of animal rights, arguing for the humane treatment of animals as early as the 1760s. He was also a strong defender of the rights of women, stating in 1790 that, the legal subordination of one sex to the other is wrong, and should be gradually abolished.
Benthams influence on the development of ethics, law, and government has been substantial. His work has been cited in numerous Supreme Court decisions in the United States, and his work on utilitarianism was influential in shaping the philosophy of John Stuart Mill and other 19th-century liberals. He died in London in 1832, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape our understanding of ethics, morality, and justice.
