Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher, legal theorist, and social reformer who is best known for his theory of utilitarianism. He was born in London in 1748 and educated at Oxford University, where he studied law. Bentham is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the 18th and 19th centuries, and his ideas have had a significant impact on the fields of philosophy, economics, and political theory.
Bentham’s philosophy of utilitarianism is based on the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined by its ability to bring about the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. He believed that the ultimate goal of society should be the maximization of happiness and the minimization of pain and suffering.
In addition to his work on utilitarianism, Bentham was also a leading advocate for legal reform. He argued for the codification of laws and the creation of a comprehensive legal system that would be accessible to all. Bentham believed that laws should be based on rational principles and should be designed to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Bentham died in 1832, but his legacy lives on. His ideas continue to shape modern political and legal theory, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary philosophers and thinkers.

Jeremy Bentham (Wikimedia)
Let’s take a look at these 31 interesting facts about Jeremy Bentham to know more about him.
- Jeremy Bentham was born on February 15, 1748, in London, England.
- He was a child prodigy, and by the age of three, he was already reading Latin and Greek.
- Bentham’s father was a lawyer, and he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. Bentham studied law at Oxford University and was called to the bar in 1769.
- Bentham is known for his theory of utilitarianism, which he developed in the late 18th century. This theory holds that the moral worth of an action is determined by its ability to maximize happiness and minimize suffering for the greatest number of people.
- Bentham was a prolific writer, and he wrote over 30 million words during his lifetime.
- He was a social reformer who advocated for the rights of women, workers, and animals.
- Bentham was a supporter of democracy and believed in the idea of popular sovereignty.
- He was a critic of the death penalty and believed that it was an ineffective deterrent to crime.
- Bentham was one of the founders of the University of London, which was established in 1826.
- He was a proponent of free trade and believed that it was essential for economic growth and prosperity.
- Bentham was a vegetarian and believed that animals should be treated with kindness and respect.
- He was an early advocate of prison reform and believed that prisons should be designed to rehabilitate offenders, rather than simply punishing them.
- Bentham was an atheist and believed that religion was a source of superstition and ignorance.
- He was a pioneer in the field of legal theory and developed the concept of a “panopticon,” a prison design that would allow for constant surveillance of inmates.
- Bentham was a supporter of individual freedom and believed that individuals should be free to pursue their own interests, as long as they did not harm others.
- He was a critic of the British monarchy and believed that it was an outdated institution that was in need of reform.
- Bentham was a collector of art and artifacts, and his collection is now housed in the British Museum.
- He was a supporter of education and believed that it was essential for the development of a just and prosperous society.
- Bentham was a friend of the philosopher John Stuart Mill and had a significant influence on Mill’s work.
- He was an advocate of rationalism and believed that reason was the key to understanding the world.
- Bentham was an early supporter of the idea of animal rights and believed that animals should not be subjected to unnecessary cruelty.
- He was an opponent of censorship and believed in the importance of free speech.
- Bentham was a supporter of the American Revolution and believed that the American colonists had the right to rebel against British rule.
- He was a critic of the French Revolution and believed that it had gone too far in its efforts to promote democracy.
- Bentham was a prolific letter writer, and his letters have been collected and published in multiple volumes.
- He was a supporter of the abolition of slavery and believed that it was a moral imperative.
- Bentham was an early advocate of environmentalism and believed that human activities could have a negative impact on the natural world.
- He was a supporter of the idea of public education and believed that it was essential for the development of a healthy and prosperous society.
- Bentham was a critic of the British aristocracy and believed that it was an unfair and unjust system.
- He was a supporter of the idea of universal suffrage and believed that all citizens should have the right to vote.
- He died in London on June 6, 1832 at the age of 84.
Jeremy Bentham was a highly influential figure in the fields of ethics, law, and political philosophy. His theories and ideas on utilitarianism, individual rights, and the role of government have had a lasting impact on modern society. Despite facing criticism and opposition during his lifetime, his legacy has continued to inspire thinkers and scholars around the world. His advocacy for social reform and his belief in the power of reason and rational thought continue to be relevant and significant today. The concept of the “panopticon,” which he invented, continues to be studied and debated in disciplines such as criminology, architecture, and sociology.