Description
By: John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill is a thought-provoking exploration of the ethical theory that actions are right if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Mill’s clear and concise writing style makes this complex philosophical topic accessible to readers of all levels.
Mill presents compelling arguments for why a focus on happiness and well-being should be the foundation of morality, and he addresses common criticisms of utilitarianism with insight and nuance. His emphasis on individual rights and the importance of considering long-term consequences adds depth to his overall argument.
While some readers may find Mill’s emphasis on happiness and utility to be overly simplistic, others will appreciate the practicality and logic behind his reasoning. Overall, Utilitarianism is a valuable read for anyone interested in ethics, philosophy, or the nature of morality.
Book Description:
John Stuart Mill’s book Utilitarianism is one of the most influential and widely-read philosophical defenses of utilitarianism in ethics. The essay first appeared as a series of three articles published in Fraser’s Magazine in 1861; the articles were collected and reprinted as a single book in 1863. It went through four editions during Mill’s lifetime with minor additions and revisions.
Although Mill includes discussions of utilitarian ethical principles in other works such as On Liberty and The Subjection of Women, Utilitarianism contains Mill’s only major discussion of the fundamental grounds for utilitarian ethical theory.
