Feminist appropriation of utilitarianism in the 1820s

The 1820s were a crucial decade for the dissemination of utilitarian ideas in British and European politics. As the philosopher himself continued to work on constitutional issues at home and abroad, his ideas were also formulated and appropriated by others. This presentation looks away from high politics and doctrinal consistency to examine how Bentham’s ideas contributed to shape arguments and expectations about gender relations and sexual morality in the 1820s. It focuses on how his ideas were appropriated and used by two women: Anna Doyle Wheeler and Frances Wright. They both knew Bentham in this decade and engaged directly with his ideas in their writings. By using utilitarian arguments in making the case for gender equality, both acted as important vectors in ensuring the diffusion of Bentham’s ideas and building their relevance to the condition of women. Importantly, Bentham’s utilitarian ideas were not the sole basis of their arguments – they gave utilitarianism a more social – even socialist – dimension when they worked out some of its implications in the sphere of gender relations.