February 15th, 1748 – June 6th, 1832
Jeremy Bentham made many significant historical contributions throughout his life, influencing politics, and women’s suffrage. Through the large progressions surrounding his time Bentham draws influence from all different aspect of history. For example, his work within law and political reforms is still influential today. Bentham believed in democracy, specifically representative democracy, focusing his efforts on restricting the power of the “sinister interests” of people in power throughout Bentham’s lifetime. More specifically Bentham’s reforms included the reformation of The Substantive Law, Codification of the Law, and The Doctrine of Judicial Precedent. The reformation continues to show influence in our own judicial systems today, Bentham based this reform on the relation of law and equality. Substantive laws seek to enforce how citizens should behave and Bentham believed that in order for this to enacted there must be equality within the law. Bethan strongly believed in a system of law primarily based on utility (Utilitarianism), and if every person enacted this principle Europe would benefit significantly. He aimed for equality and believed in the fair possession of goods and property. Utility becomes Bentham’s main focus for the duration of his career, and he seeks to apply this to everyday politics and everyday life. For instance, mentioned in “In Bentham’s view, the desire for all pleasure and the aversion to pain lie at the root of all human action,” Bentham attempted to balance pain verse pleasure looking to understand that pain is the evil and pleasure is the good. Bentham’s ideals surrounding Utility focused on the fact the we might always be successful but we need the correct and crucial information to make the correct decision. Through the development of Bentham’s ideologies, he believed that if each individual acted in this way it would better humanity as a whole While Jeremy Bentham progressed his thoughts towards utility, the unequal political and societal systems that embraced pleasure influenced his thoughts greatly. This allowed Bentham to consider the consequences to our actions which becomes a major influence in the modern world. The general good of all people should be reflected in ones’ actions, especially politicians, and Bentham even goes as far to say, “no legislation can deny his proper objective- the promotion of the happiness of the members of the community subjected to him.” Thus, Bentham’s ideals go on to influence modern politics, as mentioned Bentham’s ideas surround the general good are the main focus of political leaders today.
Much like Bentham’s contributions to politics and his theory of Utility Bentham played an important role in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Throughout Bentham’s career he made significant comments surrounding women’s suffrage and their value in society. Bentham made it clear that he saw the value in women and especially in their abilities within society, Bentham stated, “of the two sexes of which the species is composed how comes all natural right to political benefits to be combined to one?” Bentham seemed to be confused with the balance of political, he recognized the value in women and wondered if both sexes equal why should all power be subjected to one sex? Bentham seemed to express that all men and women were equal, later stating when he was asked “Why admit women to the right of suffrage?” he replied with “why exclude them?” Through this quote Benham makes his opinion clear regarding women and their right to suffrage. Although Bentham did not contribute to any actual political reform towards Women suffrage, his ability to recognize the injustices influenced the shift in women’s eventual rights. Once again, his ability to acknowledge the mistreatment and absurdity in the suppression of women further and influenced the Women’s suffrage that effects all women’s lives throughout the modern world.
Throughout Jeremey Bentham’s life there were many significant influences that helped to influence his theories and ideologies. For example, Bentham was largely influenced by John Locke and David Hume, he often commented on their own works and applied their knowledge to his own. Bentham was largely influenced by his families practice of law, and this might have been where avocation for political reform began. His family was extremely religious and his mother focused greatly on superstition, which may have influenced his idea surrounding the consequences of our actions and understanding the effects of your choices on all members of society. Debatably one of the most influential influences was the massive social and economic change taking place throughout Bentham’s life. Such as, the industrial revolution, which may have also had an influence in his ideals surround consequences for your actions. For example, what would be the consequences of the industrial revolution, and a new the new way of life stemming through his lifetime?
Abigail Morrison
Work Cited
Frederick N. Judson. “A Modern View of the Law Reforms of Jeremy Bentham.” Columbia Law Review, Vol. 10, No. 1 (Jan. 1910), pp. 41-54 http://www.jstor.org/stable/1110951
Bentham, Jeremy, Utilitarianism Progressive Publishing Company, 1890
Schofield, Phillip. Bentham: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Continuum International Company Inc., 2009
Chernock, Arianne, Men and the Making of the Modern British Feminism California: Stanford University Press, 2009. https://books.google.ca/books?id=WOPe32ADV_AC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Crimmins, James E. Secular Utilitarianism. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990.
Atkinson, Milner Charles. Jeremy Bentham: His Life and Work. London: Methuen and Company, 1905.
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