Jeremy Bentham was one of the most influential thinkers of the 18th and 19th centuries.
He developed the principle of utility, a simple but powerful idea — the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
This principle became the foundation of utilitarianism, a theory that links ethics, law, and politics.
Bentham believed that every action and law should aim to increase happiness and reduce pain.
His philosophy changed how governments think about justice, rights, and social reform.
| Born | 15 February 1748, London |
|---|---|
| Died | 6 June 1832 |
| Profession | Philosopher, Jurist, Reformer |
| Main Works | Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789) |
Bentham lived during the Age of Enlightenment, a period when reason and science began to challenge traditional authority.
He wanted to build a system of government based on logic and human welfare, not religion or monarchy.
He was a political radical, supporting individual and economic freedoms, freedom of the press, and law reform.
The Principle of Utility is the heart of Bentham’s philosophy.
It means that the best action or law is the one that produces the most happiness and least pain for the largest number of people.
| Key Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Utility | Usefulness in bringing happiness or reducing suffering |
| Happiness | Pleasure and the absence of pain |
| Pain | Suffering or unhappiness caused by an action or law |
Bentham called this idea the “greatest felicity principle”, meaning that laws should maximize public welfare.
Bentham even tried to make happiness measurable through what he called the Hedonic Calculus.
It helps in calculating how much pleasure or pain an action will produce.
| No. | Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intensity | How strong is the pleasure or pain? |
| 2 | Duration | How long will it last? |
| 3 | Certainty | How likely is it to happen? |
| 4 | Propinquity | How soon will it occur? |
| 5 | Fecundity | Will it lead to more pleasure or pain later? |
| 6 | Purity | Is it free from pain? |
| 7 | Extent | How many people are affected? |
This hedonic calculus became an early attempt to quantify morality — making ethics more scientific and practical.
Bentham rejected traditional and religious ideas of natural law and natural rights.
He argued that rights should come from law and government, not from nature or divine sources.
This idea gave rise to legal positivism, which says that law is valid because it is made by a legal authority, not because it is moral.
Bentham’s theory influenced modern democracy and constitutional reform, connecting law with welfare.
Bentham was very critical of natural rights, which were popular during the French Revolution.
He called them “nonsense upon stilts.”
According to him, rights are not natural but created by law.
Without government and law, no one can actually enjoy rights safely.
“Right is the child of law; from real laws come real rights,” Bentham wrote.
This view had deep implications for political theory, showing that law and government are essential for social order and justice.
Bentham supported freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
He believed that individuals should be free to pursue happiness as long as they do not harm others.
He also favored economic freedom — letting people make choices that improve their well-being.
Bentham was not only a theorist — he was a social reformer.
He wanted laws and institutions that could reduce human suffering.
His most famous design was the Panopticon, a model prison where a single guard could observe all inmates without being seen.
He believed that this would promote discipline and reform, not cruelty.
| Goal of Panopticon | Expected Result |
|---|---|
| Constant supervision | Less crime and better behavior |
| Transparency | More fairness |
| Reformative justice | Rehabilitation instead of revenge |
Bentham extended his idea of happiness to all living beings, including animals.
He argued that the capacity to suffer gives moral value — not intelligence or power.
This was an early call for animal rights. He also laid the foundation for the welfare state, where governments ensure the well-being of all citizens.
He believed the state must design policies that maximize collective happiness.
Bentham’s influence on modern politics is huge.
He inspired later philosophers like John Stuart Mill, who refined utilitarianism.
His ideas shaped modern systems of law, democracy, and public administration.
Although Bentham’s ideas were groundbreaking, they faced criticism.
Despite these flaws, Bentham’s utilitarianism remains one of the most practical moral theories in modern politics.
| Field | Implication |
|---|---|
| Law | Laws must promote the welfare of citizens. |
| Politics | Government actions should increase social happiness. |
| Economy | Free trade and fair competition create more utility. |
| Ethics | Moral worth lies in outcomes, not motives. |
| Education | Policies should aim to reduce ignorance and suffering. |
Bentham’s ideas connect ethics with governance — a reminder that the purpose of politics is to serve the happiness of the people.
Jeremy Bentham’s political philosophy built the foundation of utilitarian governance.
He taught that happiness, not tradition, should guide human action and government policy.
Through the principle of utility and the hedonic calculus, Bentham turned morality into a practical science of decision-making.
Although some critics find his ideas too mechanical, his vision of rational law, equality, and public welfare remains deeply relevant.
“The greatest happiness of the greatest number” still defines the true purpose of politics — to make life better for all.