Utilitarianism: For and AgainstTwo essays on utilitarianism, written from opposite points of view, by J. J. C. Smart and Bernard Williams. In the first part of the book Professor Smart advocates a modern and sophisticated version of classical utilitarianism; he tries to formulate a consistent and persuasive elaboration of the doctrine that the rightness and wrongness of actions is determined solely by their consequences, and in particular their consequences for the sum total of human happiness. In Part II Bernard Williams offers a sustained and vigorous critique of utilitarian assumptions, arguments and ideals. He finds inadequate the theory of action implied by utilitarianism, and he argues that utilitarianism fails to engage at a serious level with the real problems of moral and political philosophy, and fails to make sense of notions such as integrity, or even human happiness itself. This book should be of interest to welfare economists, political scientists and decision-theorists. |
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act-utilitarian affairs alternative answer appeal argument attitude benevolence causal concerned conflict consequentialism consequentialist consider consists contented course of action deontological deontological ethics desirable direct utilitarianism disagreement discussion distinction doctrine effect electrode operator evaluation example fact feelings G. E. Moore game theory George’s happiness human ideal utilitarian important intrinsic value involved irrational J. J. C. SMART Jim’s least man’s matter maximizing merely meta-ethics misery mixed strategy moral Negative utilitarianism non-cognitivist non-utilitarian normative ethics notion objection one’s optimific outcome particular people’s perhaps person philosopher pleasures point of view possible practical preferences premiss present probability projects pushpin question R. M. Hare rational reason regard right action right thing rule rule-utilitarianism seems sense sentient Sidgwick Sir David Ross Smart social decision society someone sort suppose theory thought total consequences total situations ultimate University Press Utilitarian Ethics utilitarian point utilitarian principle utilitarianism’s wrong