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Subject Area: Economics
Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: Law

CHAPTER I.: THE SUBJECT STATED. - Jeremy Bentham, The Works of Jeremy Bentham, vol. 3 [1843]

Edition used:

The Works of Jeremy Bentham, published under the Superintendence of his Executor, John Bowring (Edinburgh: William Tait, 1838-1843). 11 vols. Vol. 3.

Part of: The Works of Jeremy Bentham, 11 vols.

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CHAPTER I.

THE SUBJECT STATED.

Law being the denomination by which, in the English language, designation is made of a portion of discourse by which expression is given to an extensively applying and permanently enduring act, or state of the will, of a person or persons in relation to others,—in relation to whom he is, or they are, in a state of superiority,—and the Greek word nomos being the word which corresponds to the English word law, the appellation Nomography might be given to that branch of discourse which is employed by a superior, to the purpose of giving direction to the conduct of a corresponding inferior.

In the present work, the term nomography will be employed to distinguish that part of the art of legislation which has relation to the form given, or proper to be given, to the matter of which the body of the law and its several parts are composed:—the form, in contradistinction to the matter, and in so far as the one object is capable of being held in contemplation apart from the other.

We shall proceed to consider—1. The relations which nomography bears to the government of a private family—to logic, to a pannomion or universal code of laws, to proposal and petition, and to private deontology; 2. The ends in view in the case of nomography; 3. The imperfections to which it is exposed; 4. The remedies for those imperfections; 5. The subject of language; 6. The perfections of which the legislative style is susceptible; and lastly, The forms which enactments may assume.