Abstract
This paper reviews the foundations of Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarianism and the main criticisms to this doctrine, especially those which deem it incompatible with unconditional respect of human rights. Bentham’s Panopticon, his proposal on prison reform published in the late eighteenth century, is discussed. Based on the analysis of the Panopticon –which is a consistent application of Bentham utilitarianism–, the author concludes that a) this doctrine promotes a humanitarian approach, although b) human rights are not guaranteed, but conditioned to the provided level of collective benefit; and c) Bentham’s utilitarianism questions the universality and irrevocability of human rights.
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