عنوان

The political and moral thought of Jeremy Bentham (a revaluation)

Number

TLets457144

Title Proper

The political and moral thought of Jeremy Bentham (a revaluation)

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Graham, John Freele

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London)

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

1978

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London)

Text preceding or following the note

1978

Text of Note

This thesis is a revaluation of Bentham by means of a criticalreview of previous interpretations and an examination of aspects ofhis writings which have been ignored or under-emphasized until now.The thesis maintains that a philosophic statement can only beunderstood in terms of the question it was meant to answer, andidentifies Bentham's philosophic question as "what is a law?. " Thethesis then explores the particular viewpoint on politics which thisquestion generated--essentially a conception of the state as a legalassociation.From Bentham's analytic treatment of the state in terms ofpositive law, the thesis moves to an examination of the state asmoral association. The thesis examines Bentham's conception ofdemocracy, particularly his assumptions on psychology and the natureof civil society. The thesis examines Bentham's new criterion oflegitimacy, his conceptions of the sociological foundations of democracy,and the limitations he placed on state action. The thesismakes a critical evaluation of Bentham's democratic theory, focusingon problems in the concept of an open society, Bentham's notion ofpolitical debate, and the appropriateness of Bentham's politicalorder to technological society.The thesis concludes with an examination of a mode of thoughtwhich has been termed 'rationalism in politics'. After summarizingthe criticisms of this mode of thought, the thesis attempts to showthat they are either inapplicable to Bentham or erroneous arguments.This is accomplished in the context of Bentham's conception ofpolitical reform, the relationship between theory and practice, hisepistemological assumptions, and his comments on tradition andhistory. The thesis concludes

Graham, John Freele

London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London)

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y