Bentham's An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation: A Guide (OXFORD GUIDES TO PHILOSOPHY SERIES)

Bentham's An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation is often considered the first work of the philosophical school of utilitarianism and is thus a vital text for students of philosophy.In this comprehensive guide to the text, Steven Sverdlik provides an entry point into this important work, examining the text in its entirety and highlighting its central claims and their relevance to contemporary discussions in a variety of fields. Sverdlik works through the chapters of Bentham's text sequentially, explaining and evaluating the work's main themes.The Guide emphasizes Bentham's original goal of introducing a utilitarian penal code.Sverdlik explains Bentham's fundamental moral claims and principles: the principle of utility, his hedonistic theory of intrinsic value, and his claims about the measurement of pleasure and pain.Bentham also discusses at length human action, motivation, and decision.Sverdlik discusses these ideas in general terms, and then examines how Bentham