About this book
Leslie Stephen's The English Utilitarians traces the intellectual foundations and practical influence of one of history's most transformative philosophical movements. Originally published in 1900, this historical and philosophical analysis examines the compact school of utilitarian thought that reshaped English political and social policy during the nineteenth century.
Stephen, himself a devoted follower of utilitarianism during its most vital period, offers an insider's perspective on the movement's key figures and doctrines. The work begins by establishing the political and social context of Georgian and early Victorian England—exploring the ruling class, legislative institutions, industrial revolution, and pressing social problems from poverty to education. Stephen then illuminates the philosophical foundations laid by thinkers like John Horne Tooke and Dugald Stewart before turning to Jeremy Bentham, whose radical philosophy of utilitarianism would become the movement's driving force.
Through detailed examination of Bentham's life, writings, and revolutionary ideas about criminal law, governance, and individual liberty, Stephen demonstrates how utilitarian principles influenced practical reform across British institutions. His analysis captures both the intellectual rigor and the ideological tensions within the movement, particularly regarding the balance between individual freedom and collective welfare.
Ideal for history enthusiasts, philosophy students, and anyone seeking to understand the intellectual origins of modern political thought, this audiobook reveals how abstract philosophical principles became engines of social change in the nineteenth century.
