JB/149/280/001

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1831 Feb. 6
J.B. to Examiner(3)

For the augmentation maximization of the aggregate of the happiness of the whole community
the course I take the course I recommend to be taken is
that which leads to the augmentation maximization of the appropriate intellectual aptitude
on the part of not merely the greater number but of the whole total number
of the members of the community, and that without any diminution
in the respect article of appropriate moral aptitude.

Make a man ever so rich, this will not secure – those
his riches will not secure it will not render certain in his instance either appropriate knowledge or
appropriate judgment, it will not in his instance secure
the possession of appropriate knowledge and appropriate
active aptitude conjoined as is constituted by the possession
in adequate degree and quantity the art of reading: and of
what appropriate aptitude, in respect of that one branch to which
it applies all that it the evidence does is to give evidence of a probability
of its being possessed by the individual in question.

This being the case, what is the qualification which I give
as and for the law (to use this same phrase) the basis of
representation? It is the possession of this same art of reading.
Of the possession of any thoughts a certainty of appropriate aptitude no evidence no test is proposed
by those according to whom superior opulence is conclusive
evidence of it. But to a certain degree possession of the art
of reading is itself possession of appropriate intellectual and active
aptitude, and it is moreover conducive to the possession
of moral aptitude; namely by being conducive to the
reception and acquisition of such discourse by which the inducements
to make manifestation of appropriate moral aptitude
ove of persevering in a course of good moral conduct
are administered. Now those means there are in the nature
of the case means there are by which on the part of the individual
in question the possession of the art of reading is in any
degree of perfection that may be required may be rendered certain:
he may be required and made induced to read any passage in any book
n the presence and hearing of persons in any number: and this is
what on my plan I render requisite to be done – and this is all
of that which in my plan I make the possession necessary on the part of
the individual of a competence necessary to his possessing and exercising
of the right of his in the case in question .⊞
⊞ Thus, in his
Parliamentary Reform
Bill, saith Jeremy
Bentham.

Identifier: | JB/149/280/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 149.
Date_1	1831-02-06	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	149	Main Headings
Folio number	280	Info in main headings field	jb to examiner
Image	001	Titles
Category	text sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	e3
Penner	jeremy bentham	Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	50134
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