Correct option is D
Jeremy Bentham, the English philosopher and founder of utilitarianism, played a significant role in the establishment of the Westminster Review. The Westminster Review was a radical journal that aimed to promote utilitarian ideas and reform.
The West minister Review was founded in 1824 by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill.
It was established as a platform to advocate for utilitarian principles, social reform, and progressive ideas.
Bentham provided financial support for the journal, which became an influential voice in 19th-century British intellectual and political discourse.
Thus, the correct year is 1824.
Information Booster:-
Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832)was an English philosopher, jurist, and social reformer who is widely regarded as the founder of utilitarianism, a moral and political philosophy that emphasizes maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering. His ideas have had a profound influence on law, ethics, politics, and economics. Below is a detailed overview of his life, contributions, and legacy:
Early Life and Education:
Born on February 15, 1748, in London, England, Bentham was a child prodigy. He began studying Latin at the age of three and entered Queen's College, Oxford, at the age of 12.
He studied law but became disillusioned with the legal system, which he found overly complex and disconnected from the needs of society. This dissatisfaction led him to focus on legal and social reform.
Key Contributions:
1. Utilitarianism:
Bentham is best known for developing the principle of utilitarianism, which he summarized as "the greatest happiness of the greatest number."
He argued that the morality of an action should be judged by its consequences, specifically the amount of happiness or pleasure it produces and the pain it avoids.
Bentham's utilitarianism was a radical departure from traditional moral theories, which often relied on religious or abstract principles.
2. The Principle of Utility:
Bentham introduced the principle of utility, which states that actions or policies should be evaluated based on their ability to promote happiness and reduce suffering.
He developed a hedonic calculus (or "felicific calculus") to measure the value of pleasure and pain in terms of intensity, duration, certainty, proximity, fecundity, purity, and extent.
3.Legal and Political Reforms:
Bentham was a fierce critic of the British legal system, which he saw as archaic and inefficient. He advocated for codification of laws to make them clear, accessible, and rational.
He supported democratic reforms, including universal suffrage, secret ballots, and the abolition of the monarchy and aristocracy.
Bentham was a proponent of prison reform and designed the Panopticon, a circular prison structure that allowed for constant surveillance of inmates. Although the Panopticon was never built, the concept influenced modern prison design and theories of surveillance.
4.Writings:
Bentham's most famous works include:
"An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation" (1789):A foundational text of utilitarianism.
"Fragment on Government" (1776):A critique of Blackstone's commentaries on English law.
"Constitutional Code" (1830):A blueprint for a democratic government based on utilitarian principles.
Social and Political Activism:
Bentham was a vocal advocate for individual rights, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state.
He supported the abolition of slavery, animal rights, and the decriminalization of homosexuality, which were radical positions for his time.
Bentham was also a proponent of economic liberalism and free markets, influencing later thinkers like John Stuart Mill and David Ricardo.
The Westminster Review:
In 1824, Bentham founded and financed the Westminster Review, a radical journal that promoted utilitarian ideas and social reform. It became a platform for progressive thinkers and reformers.
Legacy:
Bentham's ideas laid the groundwork for modern welfare economics ,legal positivism, and human rights.
His utilitarian philosophy influenced later thinkers, including John Stuart Mill, who refined and expanded Bentham's ideas.
Bentham's advocacy for democratic reforms and social justice contributed to the development of modern liberal democracies.
After his death, Bentham's body was preserved and displayed at University College London (UCL) as part of his will. His auto-icon (a skeleton dressed in his clothes and topped with a wax head) remains on display at UCL, symbolizing his enduring influence.
Death:
Jeremy Bentham died on June 6, 1832, in London. His ideas continue to shape debates in ethics, law, and politics to this day.