Even the Inquisition’s stagecraft can be borrowed profitably

Evidence

Where there is patience to discriminate, the worst institutions may afford a hint that may be of use. I would not turn my back upon reason and utility, though I found them in the Starchamber or the Inquisition. The authors of the latter institution, in particular, whatever enormities and absurdities may be laid to their charge, must at least be allowed to have had some knowledge of stage effect. Unjust as was their penal system in its application, and barbarous in its degree, the skill they displayed in making the most of it in point of impression, their solemn processions, their emblematic dresses, their terrific scenery, deserve rather to be admired and imitated than condemned. — Jeremy Bentham, The Panopticon Writings, 683

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces the key distinction the whole appendix rests on: separating the penal institution’s ‘message’ (stage effect, impression) from its justice — a decoupling Bentham insists on.

Related

• Penal law design requires theatrical stagecraft (similarity 0.78)