A Fragment on Government

by Jeremy Bentham, Ross Harrison (Editor)

Jeremy Bentham's A Fragment on Government is a critical response to Sir William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-1769). Bentham discusses the weaknesses of the British government as well as the faults within Blackstone's treatises. He argues for the principle of utility, to logically lead his readers to the idea that a legal code should seek the happiness of the largest amount of people. Bentham criticizes Blackstone's praise of common law in favor of a more equal social and legal order. 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).

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction, Political Science, Economics

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1776

About the author

In 1748, Jeremy Bentham was born in London. The great philosopher, utilitarian humanitarian and atheist began learning Latin at age four. He earned his B.A. from Oxford by age 15 or 16, and his M.A. at 18. His Rationale of Punishments and Rewards was published in 1775, followed by his groundbreaking utilitarian work, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Bentham propounded his principle of "the greatest happiness of the greatest number." He worked for political, legal, prison and educational reform. Inheriting a large fortune from his father in 1792, Bentham was free to spend his remaining life promoting progressive causes. The renowned humanitarian was made a citizen of France by the National Assembly in Paris. In published and unpublished treatises, Bentham extensively critiqued religion, the catechism, the use of religious oaths and the bible. Using the pen-name Philip Beauchamp, he co-wrote a freethought treatise, Analysis of the Influence of Natural Religion on the Temporal Happiness of Mankind (1822). D. 1832.

More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_B...

http://www.iep.utm.edu/bentham/

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Bentham-Project/who

http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bi...

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jeremy_B...

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/...

http://utilitarianism.com/bentham.htm

http://www.historyguide.org/intellect...

Reviews

[Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow a tougher read than An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, but still enjoyable. Quite a lot of detailed content around the British Constitution and the formation of governments, with the older English being difficult to understand at points.

Another book from my class reading list, hence the perserverance.

Not bad over all

[Craig Bolton]

Bentham: A Fragment on Government (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought) by Jeremy Bentham (1988)