Synopses & Reviews
Mill's Utilitarianism is one of the most important, controversial, and suggestive works of moral philosophy ever written. Mill defends the view that all human action should produce the greatest happiness overall, and that happiness itself is to be understood as consisting in "higher" and "lower" pleasures. This volume uses the 1871 edition of the text, the last to be published in Mill's lifetime.
Synopsis
John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism is one of the most important, controversial, and suggestive works of moral philosophy ever written. Mill defends the view that all human action should produce the greatest happiness overall, and that happiness itself is to be understood as consisting in 'higher' and 'lower' pleasures. This volume uses the 1871 edition of the text, the last to be published in Mill's lifetime. The text is preceded by a comprehensive introduction assessing Mill's philosophy and the alternatives to utilitarianism, and discussing some of the specific issues Mill raises in Utilitarianism. This volume also includes an analysis of the text, substantial endnotes, suggestions for further reading, and a full bibliography.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Introductory Material How to Use this Book
A Note on References and Abbreviations
Editor's Introduction
1. What Questions is Mill Trying to Answer?
2. What are the Alternatives to Utilitarianism?
3. John Stuart Mill and Utilitarianism
4. Happiness
5. Forms of Utilitarianism
6. Levels of Moral Thinking
7. Moral Epistemology and the Proof of Utilitarianism
8. Moral Motivation
9. The Separateness of Persons: Integrity and Justice
Further Reading
The Text Printed in this Edition
Analysis of Utilitarianism
Part 2: The Text
Utilitarianism
1. General Remarks
2. What Utilitarianism Is
3. Of the Ultimate Sanction of the Principle of Utility
4. Of What Sort of Proof the Principle of Utility is Susceptible
5. On the Connexion Between Justice and Utility
Part 3: Notes, Bibliography, and Index
Notes to Utilitarianism
Bibliography
Index