The French Revolution and the Creation of Benthamism

by C. Blamires

Overview

The first study of how Genevan Etienne Dumont, and his traumatic experience of the French Revolution, shaped the reception and presentation of 'Benthamism' and masked the true face of Jeremy Bentham, one of the architects of modern society who visualised a new world based on the values of transparency, accountability, and economy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230554221
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	07/10/2008
Edition description:	2008
Pages:	442
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

CYPRIAN BLAMIRES has degrees in three disciplines from the University of Oxford (including a doctorate completed under the supervision of Isaiah Berlin) and has co-edited two volumes in the Oxford edition of the Works of Jeremy Bentham, as well as publishing translations in several European languages.

Table of Contents

Introduction Utilitarianism and Panopticism:  the umbilical cord Panopticon dominates Bentham's existence The creator of the Bentham brand: (1) Dumont the Genevan The creator of the Bentham brand:  (2) Dumont in the French Revolution The creator of the Bentham brand:  (3) First steps in marketing Dumont's goodbye to revolution, 1791 – 1793 'The Theory of Legislation' (1):  the gestation of the 'Traités', 1793-1802 'The Theory of Legislation' (2):  the message of the 'Traités' The impact of the 'Traités':  Benthamism goes global Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

'A major contribution to our understanding of the historical origins of 'Benthamism' ... presents a bold challenge to the conventional wisdom that the Panopticon was an enormous failure, emphasizing the centrality of Bentham's efforts to give concrete form to the principles of his utilitarianism in the Panopticon, and locates in this one of the important sources of modernity.' - James E. Crimmins, The University of Western Ontario.

'A wealth of insights ... cogently argued, and astonishingly fresh ... Bentham studies, The Question of the Panopticon, and even the status of utilitarianism, will never be the same again.' - Herminio Martins, St Antony's College, University of Oxford and University of Lisbon

'Historical tour de force that throws floods of light on early nineteenth-century liberalism and its political and cultural inheritance from the Enlightenment.' Michel Porret, University of Geneva

'no-one knows more about the creation of Benthamism his work will educate readers for decades to come.' Richard Whatmore, University of Sussex

'...a profound impact...Blamires's book fills a gap in literature.' - French History

From the Publisher