Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1834 edition. Excerpt: ... HISTORY GREATEST-HAPPINESS PRINCIPLE. If the intentions of the Author and of the Editor have been accomplished, this volume will be found to be nothing but an application of the Greatest-Happiness Principle to the field of morals. When the principle first presented itself to Mr Bentham's mind, he denominated it the Utilitarian Theory; but he soon discovered that the phrase did not immediately present to the views of others, the ideas which he attached to it; namely, that any thing is useful only in as far, and in as much as it promotes the happiness of man. Happiness being the end and object to be kept constantly in view, the word Utility did not necessarily bring with it felicity as its associate. It can hardly be without interest to trace the influences of the Greatest-Happiness Principle upon Mr Bentham's philosophy, from the period when it first occupied his serious thoughts, until it became the master-key which he applied to unlock all the intricacies of moral and political science. It was indeed his directing post, which he consulted in all the walks of life, whether public or private; the oracle, to whose voice he unhesitatingly and on all occasions deferred, both in his individual capacity, when seeking guidance for his own steps, and as one of the community endeavoring to mark out for others the path of popular wisdom and virtue. In every part of the field of thought and action he invoked its aid and counsel: he appealed to it for its laws, and for the reasons of those laws, and registered its responses for the use and government of his fellow men. To himself he suggested it, and to others he recommended it, not only as an end to be proposed, but as a means of attaining that end, and as a motive to impel men to its pursuit. It...
