Jeremy Bentham remains one of the most fascinating and revolutionary thinkers in the history of law. His philosophy of utilitarianism — that the purpose of law is to secure “the greatest happiness of the greatest number” — transformed how we think about justice, morality, and governance.
Over the past few weeks, I have explored Bentham’s legacy through an eight-part blog and podcast series, simplifying his theories for law students, academicians, and anyone curious about the foundations of modern jurisprudence.
This page serves as a one-stop index for the entire series — with direct links to read each blog or listen to the podcast on Spotify. Bookmark it, revisit it, and learn at your own pace.
🧭 About the Series
This series bridges classical legal philosophy with the contemporary language of law, interpreting Bentham’s dense ideas through modern examples. Each post and podcast is designed to make jurisprudence engaging, accessible, and relevant to present-day debates on justice, punishment, and morality.
📚 The Complete Bentham Series (with Podcasts)
1️⃣ Jeremy Bentham and the Birth of Modern Jurisprudence
Explore how Bentham challenged traditional moral philosophy and laid the foundation of utilitarian jurisprudence — the beginning of a rational, reform-driven view of law.
🎧 Listen on Spotify: Podcast Link
📝 Read the Full Blog: Read Here
2️⃣ The Principle of Utility: The Greatest Happiness Formula
Understand Bentham’s core idea — that laws are just only when they maximize collective happiness and minimize suffering.
🎧 Listen on Spotify: Podcast Link
📝 Read the Full Blog: Read Here
3️⃣ Measuring Happiness: The Hedonic Calculus Explained
Bentham believed happiness could be calculated. Discover his famous “hedonic calculus” — the moral arithmetic of pleasure and pain.
🎧 Podcast: Podcast Link
📝 Read the Full Blog: Read Here
4️⃣ When Pain Becomes Justified: Bentham on Punishment
Bentham’s logic of punishment shows that pain is justified only when it prevents greater harm. A crucial chapter in understanding justice and deterrence.
🎧 Podcast: Podcast Link
📝 Read the Full Blog: Read Here
5️⃣ Law and Morality in Bentham’s Jurisprudence
Why did Bentham separate law from morality? Learn how this division shaped the rise of legal positivism and influenced modern jurists like H.L.A. Hart.
🎧 Podcast: Podcast Link
📝 Read the Full Blog: Read Here
6️⃣ Codification and Legal Reform: Law as a Science of Legislation
Bentham’s vision for clear, codified laws reshaped legislative thinking — influencing the drafting of modern codes, including India’s Penal Code.
🎧 Podcast: Podcast Link
📝 Read the Full Blog: Read Here
7️⃣ Critiques of Bentham’s Utilitarian Jurisprudence
Every great thinker faces opposition. Explore how John Stuart Mill, Rawls, and others reinterpreted and challenged Bentham’s ideas on justice and morality.
🎧 Podcast: Podcast Link
📝 Read the Full Blog: Read Here
8️⃣ The Legacy of Jeremy Bentham in Modern Law
Even two centuries later, Bentham’s utilitarian ideals echo in today’s debates on democracy, human rights, and governance.
🎧 Podcast: Coming Soon
📝 Read the Full Blog: Read Here
🌱 Why This Series Matters
This series doesn’t just revisit Bentham’s philosophy — it reinterprets it for our age of law reform and moral complexity.
It asks questions that remain timeless:
- Can the law truly make us happier?
- When is punishment morally justified?
- Should lawmakers aim for utility, or for justice beyond numbers?
Bentham forces us to think — and that’s exactly what great legal philosophy should do.
✍️ From the Author
This project is part of my ongoing exploration of Philosophical and Emerging Dimensions in Legal Language.
Each blog and podcast is crafted to offer depth with simplicity — balancing Bentham’s 18th-century thought with the 21st-century mind.
Thank you for reading, listening, and supporting us.
If this series inspired you, consider following the page for more legal philosophy explained with clarity and compassion.
#JeremyBentham #Utilitarianism #LegalPhilosophy #Jurisprudence #LawAndMorality #HedonicCalculus #LegalPositivism #LegalTheory #HappinessAndLaw #LawReform #LegalRemedy #DrGaneshVisavale
Discover more from Dr. Ganesh Visavale
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.