Publisher's Synopsis
Panopticon: Or The Inspection House is a book written by the famous philosopher and social reformer, Jeremy Bentham, in 1791. The book presents Bentham's idea for a new type of prison, the Panopticon, which was designed to be a revolutionary model for social control. The Panopticon was a circular building with a central tower, from which guards could observe all the prisoners without being seen themselves. Bentham believed that this design would create a perfect system of surveillance, where the prisoners would be constantly aware of the guards' presence, and thus would be deterred from misbehaving.In addition to the design of the Panopticon, Bentham also discusses the broader implications of his ideas for social control. He argues that the Panopticon could be used not only in prisons but also in schools, hospitals, and other institutions to create a more efficient and disciplined society. He also critiques the existing systems of punishment and advocates for a more humane approach that focuses on rehabilitation rather than retribution.Overall, Panopticon: Or The Inspection House is a groundbreaking work that continues to influence discussions about the role of surveillance and social control in modern society.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.
