
Understanding Utilitarianism
Tim Mulgan(Author)
Acumen Publishing Ltd
1st Edition
Published on 13. June 2007
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-1-84465-089-7 (ISBN)
Description
Utilitarianism - a philosophy based on the principle of the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people - has been hugely influential over the past two centuries. Beyond ethics or morality, utilitarian assumptions and arguments abound in modern economic and political life, especially in public policy. An understanding of utilitarianism is indeed essential to any understanding of contemporary society. "Understanding Utilitarianism" presents utilitarianism very much as a living tradition. The book begins with a summary of the classical utilitarianism of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Subsequent chapters trace the development of the central themes of utilitarian thought over the twentieth century, covering such questions as: What is happiness? Is happiness the only valuable thing? Is utilitarianism about acts or rules or institutions? Is utilitarianism unjust, or implausibly demanding, or impractical? and Where might utilitarianism go in the future?
Reviews / Votes
"A superb book, wonderfully engaging, philosophically up-to-date and sophisticated. The book has too many virtues to list them all, but what stands out are: just the right amount of historical information to make philosophers real people; splendidly clear and revealing examples; clarity in treating the objections to utilitarianism; and just the right amount of analysis of the arguments on the issues." - Brad Hooker, Professor of Philosophy, University of Reading"More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Durham
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
Weight
362 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84465-089-7 (9781844650897)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Tim Mulgan
Understanding Utilitarianism
E-Book
12/2014
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

Tim Mulgan
Understanding Utilitarianism
E-Book
12/2014
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

Tim Mulgan
Understanding Utilitarianism
Book
05/2007
1st Edition
Acumen Publishing Ltd
€56.00
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Tim Mulgan is Professor of Moral and Political Philosophy at the University of St Andrews.
Content
1. Introduction 2. Classical utilitarianism 3. Proofs of utilitarianism 4. Well-being 5. Injustice and demands 6. Acts, rules and institutions 7. Consequentialism 8. Practicality 9. The future of utilitarianism Questions for discussion and revision Further reading Index