The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

February 15, 2017

February 15, 1748

We are grateful to the Great Cat website for information on Jeremy Bentham (February 15, 1748 to June 6, 1832).

This English philosopher coined the phrase the greatest happiness for the greatness number as the goal of man. This of course is silly. But Jeremy Bentham was not silly about his cats. We know the name of one: Langbourne, or as Bentham sometimes referred to him: Reverend Sir John Langbourne, D.D.

Jeremy Bentham argued against the idea that if an animal did not have reason, it could not suffer. He wrote in 1843 : It is proper... to forbid every kind of cruelty to animals, whether by way of amusement or to gratify gluttony...The time will come when humanity will extend its mantel over everything which breathes."

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