Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation

Jeremy Bentham wrote An Introduction to The Principles of Morals and Legislation in response to law and governmental practices he saw as corrupt. Having studied law himself, Bentham strove to educate those in the government and the public about his view of the "correct" way to run the judicial system. Bentham details the English government's laws and punishments, evaluating their morality through the principle of utility. He deems "right" the policies that bring pleasure to the most people and pain to the least. JEREMY BENTHAM (1748-1832) was a prominent English social reformer at the turn of the eighteenth century. Although he never practiced law, Bentham was trained as a lawyer and became a vocal critic of the legal system in England. As a political philosopher, he published many works on government and law, such as the Introduction to Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789) and Parliamentary Reform Catechism (1817).