One of my sole confidantes and good friends is the famous Jeremy Bentham. As you know, Bentham is one of the great leaders of our time, fighting for the reformation of England. Though some may call his ideas “radical,” I support many of his beliefs, including his feelings as demonstrated in the Catechism of Reformers.
Bentham is an interesting fellow—quite shy and reserved in public—thus, he chooses to express himself through his extensive writing and studies in philosophy, politics, and economics. I have truly grown to respect him, and he is quite influential in my own studies.
Jeremy left me a portrait from his childhood that I treasure and is my support.
Bentham cites Joseph Priestly and David Hume as his influences, which shaped his belief that all legislation should focus on “greatest happiness of the greatest number.” Dear Bentham is also has impacted the current prison system, and says “pain and pleasure are the sovereign masters governing man’s conduct.” Since each man gives in to his own self-interests, it is the job of the government to regulate their behaviors by enforcing a system of “pain and pleasure” for their acts.
Bentham has been a friend of many of the great social reformers, who each have helped shape his ideas as much as he has shaped theirs. These include Sir Francis Burdett, Leigh Hunt, William Cobbett, Henry Brougham, and James Mill. His recent publication, Constitutional Code, has been seen as extremely radical because of his beliefs about the abolition of slavery, and the equal rights of women. He is deeply sympathetic to the rights of all men, and this is something that we agree upon and builds our mutual respect for each other. Lately his health has not been well, and I feel he will not be with us for too much longer.
Here is what Jeremy looks like now.
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