In the Interest of the Governed: A Study in Bentham's Philosophy of Utility and Law, Rev. Ed.

In the Interest of the Governed: A Study in Bentham's Philosophy of Utility and Law, Rev. Ed.

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Although known as the founder of modern utilitarianism and the source of analytical jurisprudence, Bentham today is infrequently read, but often caricatured. This book, based on a study of Bentham's most important works, offers a reinterpretation of Bentham's main philosophical doctrines, his principle of utility and his analysis of law. The evidence indicates that Bentham was no ‘universalist’ in morals, but embraced a dual standard—in politics the community's interest, in ‘private ethics’ the agent's interest—which may in turn be based on the idea that government should serve the interests of those who are ‘governed’. The argument challenges many common assumptions about Bentham's view of human nature and of political institutions. A new reading is also given to his theory of law, which suggests Bentham's insight, originality, and continued interest for philosophers and legal theorists. This book was first published in 1973. This revised edition contains a new preface, a revised bibliography, and two new indexes, one of names and one of subjects, which together replace the original index.

ISBN

9780198239642

Publication Date

1991

Publisher

Oxford University Press

City

New York

Keywords

Bentham, utilitarianism, jurisprudence, government, legal theory, utility, philosophy, politics, philosophy of law

Disciplines

Law | Law and Philosophy

In the Interest of the Governed: A Study in Bentham's Philosophy of Utility and Law, Rev. Ed.

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