Jeremy Bentham
Jeremy Bentham is probably best known for suggesting that individuals select alternatives that provide them with the highest level of utility. He suggested that society should pursue actions that provide "the greatest happiness for the greatest number." Some relevant web resources include:
- The Bentham Project's page on Jeremy Bentham
- This page provides a short biography of Jeremy Bentham. In addition to discussing the philosophical and political works of Bentham, this page also attempts to explain why Bentham's dressed skeleton (the "Auto-Icon") is on permanent display at the University College London.
- Bentham's Last Will and Testament (from the Bentham project's page)
- The real story behind the Auto-Icon.
- "A Defence of Usury" (at McMaster University)
- An online example of Bentham's utilitarian philosophy at work.
- "Bentham" - by John Stuart Mill (at McMaster University)
- A description of Bentham's work by a philosopher / political economist who was greatly influenced by the utilitarian approach.
[Boyes/Melvin: Economics
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