The material in this volume constitutes a philosophical commonplace book, compiled by Bentham in the mid-1770s, in which he worked out the foundational ideas for his new science of legislation. This provides a remarkable record of the evolving ideas of a major legal philosopher at a formative stage of his career.

• Symbols and Abbreviations


• Editorial Introduction


• Preparatory Principles: Inserenda


• Marginal Contents


• Inserenda


• Preparatory Principles: Introduction


• Marginal Contents


• Introduction


• Preparatory Principles: What a Law Is


• Marginal Contents


• What a Law Is


• Index of Subjects


• Index of Names