A jurist and English reformer, Bentham wanted to transform laws and institutions based on a calculation of pleasure and pain. He defended ideas far ahead of his time, such as wider voting rights, an end to cruel punishments and consideration for animals. He asked that his body be preserved, and it is still on display at University College London.
Core ideas
The right is what produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people
Pleasure and pain are the only real guides to human behavior
The suffering of animals counts too, since they can feel pain
The tradition: Utilitarian
Utilitarianism judges actions and laws by their consequences: the best is what produces the most well-being overall, adding up the happiness of everyone affected. Bentham was the systematic founder of this current.
