Publisher's Synopsis
""An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation"" is a seminal work by the British philosopher and social reformer Jeremy Bentham. Originally published in 1789, the book is a comprehensive exploration of Bentham's utilitarian philosophy, which holds that the rightness or wrongness of an action should be judged solely by its ability to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. In the book, Bentham sets out to establish a systematic framework for moral and political decision-making based on this principle. He argues that all human actions can be evaluated based on their utility, or usefulness, and that the goal of society should be to maximize the overall happiness of its members. To this end, he proposes a number of specific reforms, including the abolition of slavery, the reform of criminal justice, and the establishment of a comprehensive system of public education.Bentham's ideas were highly influential in the development of modern liberalism and democratic theory, and his work continues to be studied and debated by philosophers, economists, and political scientists today. This edition of ""An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation"" includes an introduction by the philosopher John Stuart Mill, who was a close friend and disciple of Bentham's, as well as extensive footnotes and annotations to help readers navigate the complex arguments and concepts presented in the text.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
