Twining (2004) describes Jeremy Bentham as “one of the most important figures in Western intellectual history.”^ Bentham himself declared, “I was the spiritual father of {John Stuart} Mill and Mill was the spiritual father of {David} Ricardo, so Ricardo was my spiritual grandson.” Auguste Comte regarded Bentham as “the main origin of what is called political economy.”^

The full extent of Bentham’s achievement is probably yet to be recognized.