Offences Against Ones Self- Paederasty

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the life and ideas of Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), an influential English jurist, philosopher, and social reformer. A political radical and a pioneer of utilitarianism and animal rights, Benthams contributions have significantly shaped liberal thought. His essay, Offences Against Ones Self, written around 1785, boldly advocates for the decriminalization of homosexuality, challenging the restrictive laws of his time. Although it remained unpublished during his lifetime due to concerns over public morality, it was finally released in 1931. This recording was made on July 28th, 2007, marking the 40th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act 1967, which decriminalized male homosexuality in the UK—albeit with certain limitations.