Publisher's Synopsis
""A Defence of Usury"" is a book written by the English philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, in which he argues that the practice of usury, or charging interest on loans, should be allowed and even encouraged in society. Bentham challenges the prevailing belief that usury is immoral and harmful, and instead presents a utilitarian argument in favor of it. He argues that allowing individuals to charge interest on loans promotes economic growth and prosperity, as it encourages lending and investment. Bentham also critiques the laws that regulate usury, arguing that they are arbitrary and do not serve the greater good. Overall, ""A Defence of Usury"" is a thought-provoking and controversial work that challenges traditional moral and economic beliefs.The first, I shall mention, is that of precluding so many people, altogether, from the getting the money they stand in need of, to answer their respective exigencies. Think what a distress it would produce, were the liberty of borrowing denied to every body: denied to those who have such security to offer, as renders the rate of interest, they have to offer, a sufficient inducement, for a man who has money, to trust them with it.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
