Jeremy Bentham

Bentham, Jeremy (1748–1832), English philosopher, economist, and jurist, founder of Utilitarianism, a social philosophy whose aim was to achieve “the greatest happiness of the greatest number.” His major work was An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789). Bentham's ideas were influential in legal reform in the 19th century and in the thinking of John Stuart Mill and David Ricardo.

See also: Utilitarianism.