Bentham's major work on utilitarianism. The earliest widely obtainable edition of Bentham's most important theoretical work outlining his principle of utilitarianism. Preceded only by one printing of the first edition published over 30 years before in 1789 and now very rare in commerce.

The first six chapters of the introduction contain the clearest statement of Bentham's theory of utility, by which is meant 'that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest in in question' (vol. I, pp2-3).

Second edition; 2 vols; 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); engraved portrait frontispiece to vol. I, new endpapers, cancel stubs following F8 in vol. II, frontis, title and rear ff of texts slightly adhered at gutter margin to endpapers; contemporary marbled boards, rebacked in calf, spines lettered in gilt, corners and edges rubbed with loss, offsetting to title, minor spotting; [2], xxix, [1], 281, [1]; [4], ix, [1], 279, [1]pp.

Goldsmiths 23712; Chuo I2.1.a; cf.PMM 237