Jeremy Bentham, philosopher, 1748-1832
A utilititarian, Bentham wasn't a fan of waste. So he decreed that upon his death his body would be willed to the new University of London on condition that he be stuffed, plucked, and displayed in his sunday best. Adequately displayed to students in a "suitably encouraging attitude of thought."
The trials and tribulations of perpetuity include having his head stolen and left in a locker. I wonder if that was before or after they replaced his original head with a wax facsimile.
Apparently, it was getting kinda funky.
3 comments:
He was also quite the social engineer, having founded the Panopticon, now of Foucauldian fame, a jail where the guards can see you, and you no one else.
The ultimate utilitarian way to mitigate behaviour, otherwise complete experimental closure.
Yikes.
moloch
fucked up.
Utilitarians are always so focused on the function. So practical. I can't imagine getting my head stolen. yipers!
But what does this have to do with lending money at excessive interest rates?
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