英国法具有不同于大陆法的人性论特征,此等特征来源于伊壁鸠鲁哲学,此种哲学主张快乐主义并以财富作为达成快乐的手段。边沁继受伊壁鸠鲁哲学将之改造为功利主义,这种主义成为英美法的哲学基础,它以区分法律和道德为特征,故没有诚信原则、不要求陌生人见义勇为、允许高利贷。 British law has a distinctive character of human nature which is different from that of civil law, and these traits derive from the Epicurean philosophy, which advocates hedonism and uses wealth as a means of achieving happiness. Bentham, transformed by Epicurean Philosophy into utilitarianism, became the philosophical foundation of Anglo-American law. It characterized the distinction between law and morality. It did not follow the principle of good faith and did not require strangers to be courageous and allow usury.