Briefly: Bentham's An Introduction to The Principles of Morals and Legislation

SCM Brieflys introduce texts commonly studied at A level and Level One undergraduate courses in Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. A comprehensive introductory chapter sets the text and its author in their wider context. The texts are analyzed and summarized in an accessible and yet thorough style that makes SCM Brieflys an essential study tool for all who want to engage in more depth with some of the key texts of philosophy, theology and related disciplines.
In the Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789), Bentham strove 'to cut a new road through the wilds of jurisprudence'. Laws should be socially useful and not merely reflect the status quo; and, that while he believed that human beings inevitably pursue pleasure and avoid pain, Bentham thought it to be a 'sacred truth' that 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation'. Each quotation in the summary is page referenced to a cheap and readily available edition of the primary source allowing the student easy reference. All SCM Briefly titles are now supported by a companion web-site where students can find useful tools to help their studies and email David Mills Daniel with their questions.