- 186 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF
Utilitarianism: A Guide for the Perplexed
About this book
Utilitarianism is the ethical theory advanced by Jeremy Bentham, J.S. Mill, and Henry Sidgwick and has contributed significantly to contemporary moral and political philosophy. Yet it is not without controversy and is a subject that students can often find particularly perplexing. Utilitarianism: A Guide for the Perplexed offers a concise, yet fully comprehensive introduction to utilitarianism, its historical roots, key themes, and current debates.
Krister Bykvist provides a survey of the modern debate about utilitarianism and goes on to evaluate utilitarianism in comparison with other theories, in particular virtue ethics and Kantianism. Bykvist offers a critical examination of utilitarianism, distinguishing problems that are unique to utilitarianism from those that are shared by other moral theories. Focusing on the problems unique to utilitarianism, the book provides a well-balanced assessment of where the theory goes astray and is in need of revision. Geared towards the specific requirements of students who need to reach a sound understanding of utilitarianism, this book serves as an ideal companion to study of this influential and challenging of philosophical concepts.
Krister Bykvist provides a survey of the modern debate about utilitarianism and goes on to evaluate utilitarianism in comparison with other theories, in particular virtue ethics and Kantianism. Bykvist offers a critical examination of utilitarianism, distinguishing problems that are unique to utilitarianism from those that are shared by other moral theories. Focusing on the problems unique to utilitarianism, the book provides a well-balanced assessment of where the theory goes astray and is in need of revision. Geared towards the specific requirements of students who need to reach a sound understanding of utilitarianism, this book serves as an ideal companion to study of this influential and challenging of philosophical concepts.
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Table of contents
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Chapter One: Introduction
- Chapter Two: The Nature and Assessment of Moral Theories
- Chapter Three: What is Utilitarianism?
- Chapter Four: Well-Being
- Chapter Five: Utilitarian Aggregation
- Chapter Six: A User-Friendly Guide to Action?
- Chapter Seven: Is Utilitarianism Too Demanding?
- Chapter Eight: Is Utilitarianism Too Permissive?
- Chapter Nine: The Way Outcomes are Brought About
- Chapter Ten: The Place of Rules in Utilitarianism
- Chapter Eleven: Conclusions
- Notes
- Index
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Yes, you can access Utilitarianism: A Guide for the Perplexed by Krister Bykvist in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Philosophy & Political Philosophy. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.