English utilitarian philosopher and social reformer; considered the father of utilitarianism because of his contribution thereto. He first attained attention as a critic of the leading legal theorist in eighteenth century England , Sir William Blackstone. His ideas formed the foundation for the Napoleonic code, the type of law used by most countries--but for the Britain and colonies. Bentham campaigned for social and political reforms in all areas, most notably the criminal law. He formulated the principle of utility, which approves of an action in so far as an action has an overall tendency to promote the greatest amount of happiness. Happiness is identified with pleasure and the absence of pain. Intellectual pleasures and inner tranquility are types of pleasure. Bentham at first believed that enlightened and public-spirited statesmen would overcome conservative stupidity and institute progressive reforms to promote public happiness. When disillusionment set in, he developed greater sympathy for democratic reform and an extension of the franchise. He believed that with the gradual improvement in the level of education in society, people would be more likely to decide and vote on the basis of rational calculation of what would be for their own long-term benefit, and individual rational decision-making would therefore, in aggregate, increasingly tend to promote the greater general happiness. His works left a singular mark upon the development of enlighten government--his influence being greater on the continent than in England .

This carefully researched essay on Jeremy Bentham is by the skeptic Jerry Kahn. It is designed to enterain as much as to inform--enjoy. English utilitarian philosopher and social reformer; considered the father of utilitarianism because of his contribution thereto. He first attained attention as a critic of the leading legal theorist in eighteenth century England , Sir William Blackstone. His ideas formed the foundation for the Napoleonic code, the type of law used by most countries--but for the Britain and colonies. Bentham campaigned for social and political reforms in all areas, most notably the criminal law. He formulated the principle of utility, which approves of an action in so far as an action has an overall tendency to promote the greatest amount of happiness. Happiness is identified with pleasure and the absence of pain. Intellectual pleasures and inner tranquility are types of pleasure. Bentham at first believed that enlightened and public-spirited statesmen would overcome conservative stupidity and institute progressive reforms to promote public happiness. When disillusionment set in, he developed greater sympathy for democratic reform and an extension of the franchise. He believed that with the gradual improvement in the level of education in society, people would be more likely to decide and vote on the basis of rational calculation of what would be for their own long-term benefit, and individual rational decision-making would therefore, in aggregate, increasingly tend to promote the greater general happiness. His works left a singular mark upon the development of enlighten government--his influence being greater on the continent than in England .