An introduction to Mill's utilitarian ethics / Henry R. West.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

West, Henry R., 1933- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mill, John Stuart, 1806-1873.

Mill, John Stuart.

Ethics, Modern--19th century.

Ethics, Modern.

Utilitarianism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 216 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

John Stuart Mill was the leading British philosopher of the nineteenth century and his famous essay Utilitarianism is the most influential statement of the philosophy of utilitarianism: that actions, laws, policies and institutions are to be evaluated by their utility or contribution to good or bad consequences. Henry West has written the most up-to-date and user-friendly introduction to utilitarianism available. The book serves as both a commentary to and interpretation of the text. It also defends Mill against his critics. An appendix reviews in detail the structure and arguments of Utilitarianism. This book is primarily intended as a textbook for students in philosophy assigned to read Utilitarianism but it should also prove helpful to students and professionals in other fields such as political science, history and economics.

Contents:

Mill's life and philosophical background

Mill's criticism of alternative theories

Qualities of pleasure

Was Mill an act

or rule-utilitarian?

Sanctions and moral motivation

Mill's "proof' of the principle of utility

Utility and justice

An overall view of Mill's utilitarianism.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 195-212) and index.

ISBN:

1-107-14755-7

0-511-64812-X

0-511-18749-1

0-511-56645-X

0-511-61657-0

0-511-18656-8

OCLC:

171138495