JB_807_158.xml

Title: [1821 March 12 Jug Util. 2]

Description: 1821 March 12

Jug Util.

2

Plan of the Work

(1)

Postpone?

Among those in whose eyes there is no truth in religion either alledged revealed or natural, the number is very considerable of those in whose eyes it is either effectively necessary to the being of society or at any rate more or less useful. To those all discussion relative to its verity would appear superfluous, useless and unnecessary. Of all the questions relative to this subject to those it will naturally be no small satisfaction to find held before them in the first instance the only one in which having taken any interest and that in a state so compleatly separate as to render it needless for them to encumber themselves with any thing that follows or may hereafter follow.

In the whole design eight topics, constituting so many distinguishable and distinguished Parts of the entire work commensurate to the entire design, are comprehended. Of those it is proposed to comprize in the first publication no more than the two first: say Parts I and II. Of these two Parts Natural Religion considered apart from alledged Revealed is the subject. Marginal note parallel to the preceding paragraph: ‘Proposed title of these two Parts taken together is The Usefulness of Natural Religion in the present life examined. Proposed Title of Part I On the usefulness of Natural Religion, Verity not considered. Proposed Title of Part II On the usefulness of Natural Religion, apparent Verity considered.’

In the second publication may be comprized Parts III. IV. V. Of these three Parts alledged Revealed Religion and the Religion of Jesus in particular is the subject. Proposed title of the entire publication The usefulness of Revealed Religion in the present life examined. Proposed title of Part I (Part III of the whole) On the Usefulness of Revealed Religion at large, apparent verity considered. Proposed Title of Part II. (Part IV of the whole) On the usefulness of the Religion of Jesus, its apparent Verity considered in a general point of view. Proposed Title of Part III (Part V of the whole) On the usefulness of the Religion of Jesus, Verity apart or not considered.

In this second or in a separate publication may be comprized Part VI having for its subject the Religion of Jesus considered under the form given to it by Political Establishments.

It will be for consideration whether it might not be advisable upon the whole that this Part should not only constitute a separate publication, but as to order and even time of publication take place of Parts III, IV and V, and even of Part III. The use and reason for such precedence and separateness is the keeping as clear as may be of [the] wording to shock the prepossession of those in whose eyes their Religion has its use and value independently of all such Establishments. By this means in case of success, one half of the twofold design /might in these minds/ would be accomplished: namely the withdrawing their support from Religion in the character of an instrument of [...?] and without the risk of shocking them beyond reconciliation by a shock given to them the strongest of their adverse prepossessions.

JB_807_148.xml

Title: [1821 Oct. 14 Jug Util 2]

Description: 1821 Oct. 14

Jug Util

2

Plan of Procedure

2

Rule 3. Take Natural Religion for the object of the first attack: leaving Revealed Religion, as carefully as possible unassailed. See Bentham to Jean Baptiste Say, 4 August 1823, Letter 2988, The Correspondence of Jeremy Bentham, Volume 11. Bring to view in every occasion the alliance between the opinion here advocated and those of Revealed Religionists: in particular those of the English Establishment.

On the occasion of the attack on Natural Religion the question as to Usefulness and the question as to Verity will be found considerably entangled: to extricate them from this entanglement considerable care will be necessary.

In regard to Natural Religion, so far as concerns Verity actual want of Verity must not be imputed to it; for in that case the attack would reach supposed Revealed Religion: want of apparent verity is all that must be imputed to it: viz: from the want of sufficient evidence: of the sufficient evidence which Revealed Religion is supposed to have furnished.

So far as regards Usefulness, the first point to prove is the negative point—namely the want of positive usefulness. On this occasion the argument is more at liberty, than when the positive mischievousness is brought to view. For here, as in the case of the question of verity, the deficiency tells in favour of supposed Revealed Religion: whereas when you come to speak of positive mischievousness, it is not without difficulty that you will be able to keep the attack clear of supposed Revealed Religion. In addition to the fears inseparable from it, the positive mischiefs will consist chiefly of the mischiefs produced by all confessed false Religions, and those produced by the misconception and misapplication of the alledged only true one.

JB_807_149.xml

Title: [1821 Oct. 14 Jug Util 3]

Description: 1821 Oct. 14

Jug Util

3

Plan of Procedure

3

Useful a system of Religion can not be, except in virtue of a directive rule, or a sanction, or both: a directive rule for the direction of conduct, or a sanction to furnish inducement for the observance of a directive rule. To be incapable of furnishing either the one or the other will be shewn to be the effectual property of Natural Religion considered apart from Revealed.

On this occasion it is that the question of verity will be seen not to be capable of compleat separation from the question of usefulness: since from non-apparency of verity even actual verity supposed would come non-usefulness. For effecting the separation, which the question of usefulness is on the carpet, the non-apparency of Verity may be provisionally assumed: thereupon under a separate subject of the non-apparency may be treated of, viz. by indication given of the causes.

On the occasion of the non-usefulness of Natural Religion the natural debility of the superhuman Sanction will be brought to view and contrasted with the natural efficiency of the six human sanctions: all of which operate already in a preponderate degree, in favour of human happiness, and as morality and sound judgment improve will do so with more compleat accordance. On this occasion it may perhaps be found neither /[...?]/ practicable, nor advantageous, in bringing to view the debility of the superhuman sanction, to omitt the number of the instances in which its utter impotence will be brought to view in the cases where Natural Religion has the support of supposed Revealed, and supposed Revealed the support of Establishments. For it is in the present state of things in this country that its impotence thence its non-usefulness will be to be brought to view, and in this country at the present time it can not be seen except in a state of connection with supposed Revealed Religion, and the Establishments kept on foot for the support of it.