In this book, first published in 1973, the editor has drawn heavily on Bentham's manuscripts and has tried to provide a coherent statement of Bentham's legal and political thought. Unlike Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes or Mill, Bentham did not write one single work containing the basic principles of his legal and political philosophy. This titles presents Bentham's work in a systematic manner, and will be of interest to students of philosophy, politics and history.

Preface; Introduction; 1. Ontology 2. Exposition 3. Phenomena of the Human Mind 4. Springs of Action 5. Of the Principle of Utility 6. Virtue 7. Value of a Pain or Pleasure 8. The Idea of a Political Society 9. Of Subjects 10. What a Law Is 11. Source of a Law 12. Force of a Law 13. Power and Right 14. Leading Principles of a Constitutional Code 15. The People 16. Legislature 17. Prime Minister and Ministers 18. Sublegislature and Local Headman 19. Fallacies 20. Declaration of Rights 21. Nature of Political Reasoning 22. Summary of Basic Principles; Appendices; Notes