'Marcel, the dancing-master': A Note on the Closing Lines of An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Issue 1 (6th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DE CHAMPS, EMMANUELLE
• Is Part Of: Utilitas. Volume 26:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2013-08-06
• Subjects: Utilitarianism -- Periodicals; 171.5
• DOI: 10.1017/S0953820813000113
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-8208

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="text-abstract"> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>In the 'Concluding note' to <italic>An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation</italic> (<italic>IPML</italic>), added in January 1789 to the original 1780 text, Bentham addresses highly theoretical questions in jurisprudence: 'What is a law? What are the different parts of a law?' He then demonstrates that only an imperative theory of legislation can provide adequate answers and provide the means to establish a precise nomenclature of legal phenomena. These broad questions sum up the work conducted in the manuscripts <italic>Of the Limits of the Penal Branch of Jurisprudence</italic>, which remained at that time unpublished. After such abstract matter, Bentham concludes on a much lighter note: <disp-quote><p>Leaning on his elbow, in an attitude of profound and solemn meditation, '<italic>What a multitude of things there are</italic>', (exclaimed the dancing-master Marcel), '<italic>in a minuet</italic>?' – May we now add? – <italic>and in a law</italic>.</p></disp-quote></p> </abstract>