Before revision: Background Born in the first half of the eighteenth century, Bentham proved a conduit for enlightenment ideas to reach nineteenth century Britain.D Daiches, ed., Companion to Literature 1 (1969) p. 44-5 A disciple of Helvetius,E Halévy, The Liberal Awakening (London 1961) p. 31 who saw all society as based on the wants and desires of the individual,G Berereton, A Short History of French Literature (Penguin 1954) p. 99 Bentham began with a belief in reform through enlightened despotism, before becoming a philosophical radical and supporter of universal suffrage,D Daiches, ed., Companion to Literature 1 (1969) p. 45 (though without ever losing his belief in the positive power of the state).
After revision: Background Born in the first half of the eighteenth century, Bentham proved a conduit for Enlightenment ideas to reach nineteenth century Britain.D Daiches, ed., Companion to Literature 1 (1969) p. 44-5 A disciple of Helvetius,E Halévy, The Liberal Awakening (London 1961) p. 31 who saw all society as based on the wants and desires of the individual,G Berereton, A Short History of French Literature (Penguin 1954) p. 99 Bentham began with a belief in reform through enlightened despotism, before becoming a philosophical radical and supporter of universal suffrage,D Daiches, ed., Companion to Literature 1 (1969) p. 45 (though without ever losing his belief in the positive power of the state).