Which one of the following was criticized by Bentham in his work A Fragment on Government?

Correct option is A

In his work A Fragment on Government (1776), Jeremy Bentham criticized Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England. Bentham found Blackstone’s approach to law conservative and unscientific, particularly Blackstone’s defense of the common law and his glorification of English legal traditions. Bentham argued for legal reform and codification, emphasizing utility as the basis for law.
Explanation of Other Options:
1. (a) Commentaries by Blackstone:
· Correct. Bentham criticized Blackstone for his lack of analytical rigor and resistance to legal reform, accusing him of perpetuating outdated legal practices.
2. (b) Hobbes’ Leviathan:
· Incorrect. Bentham did not specifically target Hobbes in A Fragment on Government. While Bentham was critical of Hobbes’ authoritarian ideas, this was not the focus of the work.
3. (c) Bodin’s The Six Books on the Republic or State:
· Incorrect. Bentham’s primary focus was on English legal traditions and not on Bodin’s theory of sovereignty.
4. (d) Grotius’ The Law of War and Peace:
· Incorrect. Bentham criticized Grotius for his views on natural law, but this was not a focus in A Fragment on Government.
Information Booster:
1. Jeremy Bentham’s Philosophy:
· Founder of utilitarianism, emphasizing "the greatest happiness of the greatest number."
· Advocated for codification, transparency, and reform in legal systems.
2. Criticism of Blackstone:
· Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England glorified the common law and opposed radical legal reforms.
· Bentham’s critique emphasized logical rigor, utility, and the need for laws to be evaluated based on their consequences.
3. Impact of A Fragment on Government:
· Marked Bentham’s entry into legal and political philosophy.
· Set the stage for his later works advocating comprehensive legal reform.