Utilitarian theories of human nature, 1789-1843

Thesis

This thesis deals with the reformulation of Utilitarian psychology in the early nineteenth century, in the years between the publication of Bentham's Principles of Morals and Legislation in 1789 and J.S. Mill's System of Logic in 1843. It is offered as a contribution to the history of ideas, and is set principally against "the spirit of an age" losing faith in the constancy and universality of human nature; it rests its analyses on the psychological writings of Bentham, James Mill and John Stuart Mill, and aspires to no special acquaintance with the detailed work of these philosophers in other fields - such as philosophy of law, philosophy of politics and ethics. History of ideas has found few exponents and sympathisers in Oxford since G.M. Young, whose aphorism "Atmosphere is more than Creed" gives much of its spirit and preoccupations; and scholars who consider it as something more than the placing of x and y in the Zeitgeist, or the tale of who influenced whom, now tend to gather in Cambridge or at Sussex. For this reason I owe the more to the penetrating eye for sophistry and paralogism of Mr Bill Weinstein, Fellow and Tutor of Balliol; to him this thesis is indebted for its few virtues, and to him I am grateful for discussions which have given much pleasure and delight.

Authors: Barker, G

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-6qk1bj2qz
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford