The Principles of Morals and LegislationJeremy Bentham''s work on The Principles of Morals and Legislation emerges from its historic roots in hedonism and teleology as a scientific attempt to assess the moral content of human action by focusing on its results or consequences. Proceeding from the assumption that human beings desire pleasure (and avoid pain), Bentham''s unique perspective, known as utilitarianism, is used to construct a fascinating calculus for determining which action to perform when confronted with situations requiring moral decision-makingthe goal of which is to arrive at the "greatest happiness of the greatest number." Toward this end, he endeavors to delineate the sources and kinds of pleasure and pain and how they can be measured when assessing one''s moral options. Bentham supports his arguments with discussions of intentionality, consciousness, motives, and dispositions.Bentham concludes this groundbreaking work with an analysis of punishment: its purpose and the proper role that law and jurisprudence should play in its determination and implementation. Here we find Bentham as social reformer seeking to resolve the tension that inevitably exists when the concerns of the many conflict with individual freedom.The Principles of Morals and Legislation offers readers the rare opportunity to experience one of the great works of moral philosophy, a volume that has influenced the course of ethical theory for over a century. |
Contents
Of the Principle of Utility | 1 |
Of Principles Adverse to That of Utility | 8 |
Of the Four Sanctions or Sources of Pain and Pleasure | 24 |
How to Be Measured | 29 |
Their Kinds | 33 |
Of Circumstances Influencing Sensibility | 43 |
Of Human Actions in General | 70 |
Of Intentionality | 82 |
Of Motives | 97 |
Of Human Dispositions in General | 131 |
Of the Consequences of a Mischievous Act | 152 |
Cases Unmeet for Punishment | 170 |
Of the Proportion between Punishment and Offences | 178 |
Of the Properties to Be Given to a Lot of Punishment | 189 |
Division of Offences | 204 |
Of the Limits of the Penal Branch of Jurisprudence | 309 |
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Common terms and phrases
action antipathy appear applied ascer asceticism B. I. tit belonging benevolence body branch cause cern circum circumstances common commonly condition connexions consequences considered constituted corresponds degree detinue dictates disposition distinguished dition effects evil falsehood force former guardian guardianship happen happiness individual influence instance intention Julius Cæsar jurisprudence kind legislator lence less love of reputation man's mastership matter means ment moral nature non-investment object occasion offence affecting parentality particular party pathy pecuniary penal penal labour perhaps perly person pleasure or pain pleasures and pains possession present principle of utility private ethics produced punishment purpose quantity question regard relation religion religious render respect Roman law sanction secondary mischief self-regarding semi-public offences sense sensibility sort stances styled supposed sympathy tendency termed thing tion tive unconformable vidual wardship whole word wrongful divestment wrongful interception