date

1821 Oct. 14 Jug. Util Plan
1821 Oct. 14

Jug. Util

Plan of Procedure

Considerandum pestia[?]—How many of the Parts shall be compleated before any of them are published. For scrutiny consistency, compactness &c all the argumentative parts should be first compleated before any are published.

Subject matter question of the belief of supernatural rational agency the beneficial or mischievous effects predominate? Result of the inquiry, the mischievous.

1. Direct object in this occasion, maximizing number of converts.

2. Collateral object, avoiding sufferance at the hands of the political and popular or moral sanction: and suppression of the work at the hands of the political.

Rules of procedure for guidance of the course of conduct to be pursued for the accomplishment of the above objects or ends in view.

Rule 1. Minimize irritation. The more you irritate and the more highly you irritate them the fewer you will convert. Thence

Rule 2. In attacking a part of the enemy leave him, as long as you can, a loop-hole to creep out at: in such sort that, on yielding the part first attacked it shall not appear to him that he yields the whole, or that the strength of the whole will be lessened by the partial abandonment.

Particularization. Among believers in supposed Revealed Religion (viz. that of Jesus) there are many in whose eyes Natural Religion, considered independently of their Revealed d o, is of little value. Indeed the insufficiency of Natural Religion is brought forward by them as a proof of the necessity of Revealed: and, in the contrast between the insufficiency of it, as exemplified in Pagan antiquity, and the sufficiency of Revealed, they dwell not without complacency. In attacking the usefulness of Natural Religion you may therefore so manage as that without relinquishing their belief, the Revealed Religion may be, if not for you in thinking you on their side, at any rate not decidedly or violently against you. Hence
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  • Title: [In the hand of Colls. 1819. Feb y]
    Description: In the hand of Colls.

    1819. Feb y 19. (Copied 1821. Dec r. 9th

    Jug Util

    §. Revealed Religion—its effects.

    1.

    Such the effects of Natural Religionwhat of Revealed?

    2.

    Notwithstanding any and which the direct evidence attached to Revealed gives to the circumstantial on which natural d o. rests, not addition but substraction from happiness (it will be seen) is the effect: substraction, greater than by Natural.

    3.

    Amendable natural, and by the best hands Revealed, not: being all ready made: and by numerous hands vying in coarseness, harshness, and unskilfulness.

    4.

    Under Revealed, rule of action worse than none: unconducive to the alledged end: delusive and self contradictory: sanction, adding to the mischievous efficiency of Natural, without adding to its beneficial d o.

    5.

    Of Revealed Religions, Christian the least incredible: not, except with exceptions the least mischievous—

    (—Examined)
  • 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.
  • Title: [Heading by Bentham, text in the hand of Colls]
    Description: Heading by Bentham, text in the hand of Colls.

    1819 March 8 th. (Copied 1821. Dec. 9)

    Jug. Util.

    or 1.

    Religion cleared of its mischievous effects, by calling it so far superstitious, and charging them on superstition.

    or 2.

    Thus might arsenic be proved not to be poisonous.

    or 3.

    Natural the only branch of religion that can thus be considerably served. Under revealed religion, distinct mischiefs will be shewn.

    or 4.

    But for revealed, religion, might be cleared of its mischievous efficiency: but thereby so it would mostly be of its beneficial d o: yet so as the clearance might on the whole be beneficial.

    or 5.

    To Natural Religion, hell cleared away, remains nothing but a heaven: towards this conception, approach is made in proportion as by the dictates of general utility, the mind is improved.