An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation

In this landmark text, philosopher and social reformist Jeremy Bentham expounds his theory of utilitarianism; this work is considered to be the founding of the modern utilitarian movement.

As one of England's leading thinkers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Jeremy Bentham argued the moral responsibility of society to maximize the utility of things. In Bentham's mind, 'utility' boils down to the net benefit to a sentient being's consciousness. Thus a given task, which produces suffering, should result in a greater corresponding utility for the greatest number of beings.

Although by nature consequentialist, Bentham's theory carries an additional consideration: that all sentient beings should be considered equal. Only when utility is distributed equally, will the entire society enjoy the greatest possible benefit; the rationale being that to some degree beings are bound together and connected in civilized society.

The ideas introduced in this book have received criticism; examples include the absence of a system of justice from its moral considerations, the implicit assumption that all persons experience the same joys from the same things and are not distinct from one another, and the difficulty in quantifying utility. Despite these contentious areas, utilitarianism remains a popular and much-discussed sphere of thought.

Much of what Bentham considers good and worthy of aiming for in society resembles the earlier philosophy of Epicurus; an ancient Greek thinker who considered happiness to be the highest good. Bentham's principles began a tradition of modern utilitarianism that continues until the present day: charities, animal welfare groups, anti-poverty activists and others have drawn upon its tenets to advance their causes and ideals.