New 'Bentham and the Arts' seminar series launched

‘Bentham and the Arts’ is a new seminar series beginning in January 2018.  It is convened by Professors Anthony Julius (University College London), Malcolm Quinn (University of the Arts, London) and Philip Schofield (University College London).

The seminar series will consider the sceptical challenge presented by Jeremy Bentham’s hedonistic utilitarianism to the existence of the aesthetic, as represented in the oft-quoted statement that, ‘Prejudice apart, the game of push-pin is of equal value with the arts and sciences of music and poetry.

If the game of push-pin furnish more pleasure, it is more valuable than either.’  This statement is one part of a complex set of arguments on culture, taste, and utility that Bentham pursued over his lifetime, in which sensations of pleasure and pain were opposed to aesthetic sensibility.

‘Bentham and the Arts’ is hosted by the Bentham Project, UCL Faculty of Laws and the University of the Arts, London.  It is sponsored by UCL Faculty of Laws; UCL Bentham Project; and the International Society for Utilitarian Studies (ISUS).

All seminars take place on Tuesday evenings, at 6.00 pm, at UCL.  All are welcome and no registration is required.

The seminar programme is as follows:

Further details and abstracts of papers can be found on the seminar webpage.