A Level: CCEA • Edexcel • OCR • WJEC

A detailed investigation into Jeremy Bentham's key ideas on utilitarianism, including what they are, how they work, and why they're important. This lesson provides a brief biography of Jeremy Bentham and covers the text of An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. This includes discussion of the principle of utility, the influence of pain and pleasure, and how individuals and law-makers should use the hedonic calculus in ethical decision-making.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation isn't an easy read in places, particularly towards the end (where it descends into laboriously dividing and categorising crimes and punishments), but its early chapters are essential reading. In the opening pages, Jeremy Bentham quickly, cogently, and comprehensively outlines the fundamentals of utilitarianism, laying the groundwork for everything that's been written since. I'd recommend buying a copy here and adding it to your library of philosophical classics. It's an essential text for all students and teachers of ethics and anyone interested in understanding why we make moral decisions the way we do today!

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