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[xxxvi. 78]
1822 July 21
Constitut. Code
Introduction
Preface
Rationale
Principle of self preference principle.
Greatest happiness do
Practice-declaring - Duty-declaring
Problem to render self preference subsertvient to greatest happiness. [...? ...? ...? ...?]
Such as it is, the present legislative draught is the first in point of time the first to /in/ which any such appendage /additament/ as a Rationale was ever inserted. Now that it does exist /an example of it is in existence/ The utility of its existence will not be matter of dispute: of its non-existence hitherto two causes may be assigned. In every government not having for its object the greatest happiness of the greatest number, want of inclination and want of ability together /both/. In a government having for its object the greatest happiness of the greatest number, on the part of the leading class, namely the lawyer class want of inclination as to all three branches of the Pannomion except the Constitutional branch, and in relation to all three branches, and even in that branch in particular want of ability: want of that anticipation of ability which being necessary even to the bare endeavour is still more plainly so to correspondent success
Nor and such want of ability /the deficiency/ be considered an object of surprise. Where /Wherever adequate/ motives are wanting action will be wanting likewise: physical desires out of the question where motives are wanting, desires are naturally wanting likewise: and with desires endeavours. The quantity of labour necessary has been such as to fill up the ordinary capacity of a whole life: and in return for this burthen what was the benefit that could by any one be expected?
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Title: [[xxxvi. 79] 1822 July 21 Constitut]Description: [xxxvi. 79] 1822 July 21 Constitut. Code Introduction Preface Rationale Thus much as to legislature and legislative draughts In regard to /the situation/ expositive and commentative the absence of every thing in the shape of a rationale has not been thus entire. In Fragments of the sort of work have been seen in abundance. Of a rationale yes? but of what sort? Of a sort which perhaps not altogether without truth may be pronounced worse than useless. Instead of giving existence to the arrangements, the rationale has derived its existence from them. In the breast of the ruler self interest has given birth /existence/ to the arrangements: in the breast of the commentator self interest has again given birth to the rationale. To the only right and proper problem which the case admitts of has been substituted a sinister /an opposite/ one. Right and proper problem - To ascertain in each case that arrangement which is in the highest degree contributory to the greatest happiness of the greatest number. Sinister problem which has almost infinitely been substituted. The arrangements in each case being given, what is required is to prove them to approach in the highest degree to what they ought to be: to be in the highest degree contributory to the greatest happiness of the greatest number, as to any other object or end in view which under existing circumstances has in the highest degree the approbation of those whose hands is in the greatest quantity the disposal of the matter of reward in all its branches
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Title: [[xxxvi. 102] 1822 June 28 Constitut]Description: [xxxvi. 102] 1822 June 28 Constitut. Code Rationale Supreme Operative I Monarch absolute 1. Morals Question. Why not give to the State-Chief, possessor of the Supreme Executive power under the Supreme Legislative the Supreme Legislative power, thus placing the whole Operative power of the Country in that one hand. Answer Because in that case the inaptitude opposite to appropriate aptitude in all its several branches would be /is/ at its maximum. 1. The inaptitude opposite to appropriate Moral aptitude is in this case /state of thing/ at its maximum. In consequence /pursuance/ of the self preference inherent in human nature, the end of his government will be the greatest possible happiness of his individual self. This object according to whatever happens to be his notions of it he will pursue without regard to the happiness of the greatest number, at the expence of that happiness, and to the sacrifice of that happiness. His sinister interest having no right and proper interest to serve as a check to it, the force of his power having no counterforce to check it and keep the action of it in a state of conformity to the public interest, his desire to make on all occasions the sinister sacrifice, will have nothing to /find no power in a condition to/ oppose it, will on every occasion find ample means for the gratification of it and the sacrifice will at all times under his government be consummated. He will accumulate under his own grasp all the external instruments of felicity, all the objects of general desire in the greatest quantity possible: all at the expence of and by the sacrifice of the felicity of the other members of the community All around him being below him, dependent every one /all/ of them on his pleasure for whatsoever portion of felicity they are suffered to enjoy, he find in none of them any desire to oppose his will in any of the above particulars, in all of them the disposition and the endeavours to give accomplishment to it. They
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Title: [[clx. 237] 1822 July 22 Constitut]Description: [clx. 237] 1822 July 22 Constitut. Code Rationale Introduction to the Rationale Thw whole of this work all comprehensive as it is, consists in an application made of two all-comprehensive principles: 1. a principle assertive /respective/ of propriety; a principle assertive of a /respecting an all comprehensive/ matter of fact The principle assertive of propriety is the greatest happiness /felicity/ principle. The greatest happiness of the greatest number as the only right and proper end of government: all /every/ other ends to which it is possible for the means of government to be directed are /is/ sinister ones The principle having respect to matter of fact is the self-preference principle. To prefer /Preference given to/ his own interest to all others is a universal propensity in man's nature in whatsoever situation placed. From these two springs /theoretical principles/ one practical one Would you establish a Constitution /constitute a government/ so order the powers belonging to it make such distribution /disposal/ of the powers /mass of power/ of which government that each member of it each functionary may see that his own particular interest will throughout coincide with the interest of the greatest number /the universal interest/ and this in such sort that he can not make sacrifice of /do evil to/ the universal interest without doing /thereby doing net/ evil to his own particular interest. Applied to the Constitutional branch of Law /the Pannomion/ of the field of legislation, the greatest happiness principle /the all comprehensive end/ resolves itself into two specific ones - namely 1. Aptitude maximized; 2. Expence, minimized.
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