2 page biography of Jeremy Bentham and his contribution to the study of Ethics - Essay Example

Jeremy Bentham Biography and contribution to the study of Ethics Jeremy Bentham, a jurist and philosopher, was born in London on 1748 to a family dominated by attorneys including his father and grandfather. Bentham the founder of principles of utility developed into a voracious reader from a tender age of four years. He began reading books and exploring philosophies in childhood stages a factor that developed him as great theorists. Because of determination and commitment, Bentham developed into a veteran theorist in Anglo-American philosophy of law.

Besides, Bentham political radical ideas greatly influenced the development of human rights movements and political freedom. Bentham was a great activist who advocated political and economic freedom. He pioneered various political movements that lobbied for the abolition of slavery, legal use of the death penalty, and physical punishment. Political radical ideas advanced by Bentham lobbied for separation of church systems from the state, freedom of expression for all citizens, divorce rights, gender equity, and animal rights.

However, Bentham opposed natural rights and law but favored individual legal rights for all citizens (Becker and Becker 137). Bentham mentored several students during his time as a teacher and researcher. Some of Bentham’s great students included James Mill, James Stuart Mill, James Austin, and Robert Owen. His students also developed into great theorists for instance; Robert Owen become the founder of Utopian socialism while John Austin remained as the famous legal philosopher. Bentham, who attended Westminster school at the tender age of 12 in 1760, existed as a child prodigy.

He started studying Latin at the age of three and preferred reading England history books. Bentham, who was the brother to Samuel Bentham, completed his Bachelor’s degree at Queen’s college in 1763. Bentham obtained his master’s degree in 1766 at Queen’s college. He practiced law in college though he never represented persons in courts of law. He reportedly hated English legal code and named it ‘Demon of Chicane’. Bentham loved chemistry and spent most of his time conducting chemical experiments and speculating theories relating to legal abuses.

His interest in chemistry angered his father who knew that he would develop into a renowned intelligent lord chancellor amongst English courts of law. Due to great interest in sciences, Jeremy Bentham pursued physical science studies and started research on suppositions that had a relationship with politics and law. Research on suppositions related to law and politics finally became his lifetime occupation.Bentham successfully published several books including a fragment on government in 1776, introduction view of rational evidence in 1812, and Defense of usury.

Bentham’s most famous publication was introduction to principles of morals and legislation. The book published in 1789 described principle of utility that acted as the most famous theory in economics.Contribution to the study of Ethics Bentham published various literature on theoretical ethics that assisted in studying the discipline. Among the publications included introduction to the principles of morals and legislation, constitutional code, principles of international law among others. His publication especially on law provided rational principles that formed the fundamental guide and basis for social, legal and moral reforms.

In addition, Bentham developed fundamental moral guidelines that defined formulation and implementation of laws (Bowen 4). Moreover, Jeremy’s principle of utilitarianism formed the basis of understanding human nature about happiness and other social ethics.Conclusion In conclusion. Jeremy Bentham remained as a moral man who cherished research as the fundamental basis of educational success. He devoted his life to creating sanity in the economy and political systems within the society. His devotional research and publications resulted into legal, political, and economic reforms.

It is imperative that Jeremy remained as the most famous activist for human and animal rights through his publications and research.Work CitedBecker, Lawrence C., and Charlotte B. Becker. Encyclopedia of Ethics. London: Rutledge, 2013. Print.Bowen, Robin T. Ethics and the Practice of Forensic Science. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, 2009. Print.