# Bentham — The Acquisitive Society character guide

> Bentham in The Acquisitive Society by R. H. Tawney.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-rights-and-functions

## Who they are

Philosopher and legal reformer whose utilitarian ideas are critiqued in the context of industrial society.

## Relationships

### [Providence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/characters/providence)

_psychological_

Bentham's utilitarian philosophy is contrasted with Providence as a rational, calculating force opposed to divine or natural order.

### [the Germans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/characters/the_germans)

_psychological_

Bentham's ideas are linked to German thought as part of a critique of rationalist or statist philosophies.

## In the story

### [Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/introductory)

Not directly mentioned, but the critique of 'bloodless abstractions of experts' implicitly targets utilitarian thinkers like Bentham.

### [Rights and Functions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/rights-and-functions)

Bentham is presented as completing the shift from natural rights to utility, transferring emphasis from individual freedom to social expediency, yet still endorsing absolute property rights.

### [The Acquisitive Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/the-acquisitive-society)

Mentioned in the context of the formula 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number' as a criterion for social organization.

### [Property and Creative Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/property-and-creative-work)

Quoted on the rationale of private property: 'If I despair of enjoying the fruits of labor, I shall only live from day to day; I shall not undertake labors which will only benefit my enemies.'

### [The Functional Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/chapters/the-functional-society)

Mentioned in the context of liberal thought and the critique of sinecures.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/characters/bentham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_acquisitive_society_se/characters