Of
the Principle of Utility (1789)
The first chapter of Bentham's "Introduction to the Principles of Morals
and Legislation," his best known and probably most important theoretical
work. In it, he outlines his notion of the principle of utility as "that
principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according
to the tendency it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness
of the party whose interest is in question; or, what is the same thing
in other words to promote or to oppose that happiness. I say of every action
whatsoever, and therefore not only of every action of a private individual,
but of every measure of government." The implications were, of course,
revolutionary.