JB/037/408/001

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1824 Aug. 24
Constitutional Code

Position 3. The people will not be deficient in appropriate
moral intellectual aptitude. Proof –

Once more. Aptitude in this case not aptitude for governing
but aptitude for choosing those who are to govern. As to the actual
governing for this it is admitted the people are essentially unapt: and it is on in
account of this inaptitude that it is proceeds the proposition that
for the exercise of the operative functions of government in the highest degree they should choose
others, or to Agents who will naturally be some among themselves.
Now as to this matter, some among them there
cannot but be whose in whom appropriate aptitude in this shape is in
comparison with that of the rest at the highest point of the scale.
By those men, such their aptitude if it has not already been
displayed, will of course be endeavoured to be displayed on this occasion be displayed. Of
such their pretensions, he who in his own eyes is a competent judge,
will form his judgment and will accordingly. He who in his own
eyes is not a competent judge will ask information and advice
of some one who or more who in his eyes are competent
judges. If he has not access to such, then to such who in
his own eyes are competent to judge what others are competent
judges; and so on. In such their choice of advisers,
some will be more fortunate, others less fortunate. But if in respect
of the majority of the Agents so elected they are not fortunate, the
cause of failure lies in the nature of the case men and things: in no other way by no other cause
could a better chance for being fortunate have been obtained.

In favour of this theory all experience testifies. For evidence Proof of
so bulky a nature, room cannot in such a plain work as this be
found. Of such proof an example may be seen in Benthams Parliamentary
Reform Catechism Introduction §.

In a page of history Negative proof is here will be
found here to concurr with positive. In Among In the case of no people
by whom Agents for this purpose have been freely chosen will any
reason be found for the belief that Agents in any considerable degree more apt in this particular
than those actually chosen could have been had.

Identifier: | JB/037/408/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 37.
Date_1	1824-08-24	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	037	Main Headings	constitutional code
Folio number	408	Info in main headings field	constitutional code
Image	001	Titles
Category	text sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	d12
Penner	jeremy bentham	Watermarks	j whatman turkey mill 1824
Marginals		Paper Producer	jonathan blenman
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1824
Notes public		ID Number	11623
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