who among the following dismissed the idea of natural rights as ‘rhetorical nonsense’?

Correct option is D

Jeremy Bentham, a prominent figure in the development of the philosophy of utilitarianism, famously criticized the concept of natural rights by dismissing it as "nonsense upon stilts" or ‘rhetorical nonsense’. Bentham argued that rights should be grounded in social utility rather than being seen as inherent or natural. He believed that the idea of natural rights was baseless and that the only meaningful discussions of rights are those that can be tied to the law and the overall happiness of the community. Bentham’s utilitarian approach emphasized the greatest happiness for the greatest number, rejecting the notion of rights existing outside of or prior to the establishment of legal systems. Thus, option (d) J. Bentham is the correct answer.