A comment on the Commentaries and A fragment on government

by Jeremy Bentham

In the two related works in this volume, Bentham offers a detailed critique of William Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-9). In "Comment on the Commentaries," on which Bentham began work in 1774, he exposes the fallacies which he claims to have detected in Blackstone, and criticizes the theory of the Common Law. He goes on to provide important reflections on the nature of law, and more particularly on the nature of customary and of statute law, and on judicial interpretation.

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

576 pages, Hardcover

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 In published and unpublished treatises, Bentham extensively critiqued religion, the catechism, the use of religious oaths and the bible.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

[Istvan Zoltan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting system on what governmet is, what it should aim for, and what principles it should follow.

[Craig Bolton]

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