Utilitarianism

John Stuart Mill

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Sep 29, 2010 - Philosophy - 70 pages

British philosopher John Stuart Mill approached ethical theory with a scientist's eye in his contributions to utilitarianism. Building upon the premise set forth by Jeremy Bentham, Mill subjected his own work to the scientific method and deep, incisive inquiry. Mill formulated utilitarianism on the "greatest-happiness principle." Under this principle, it is ethical only to act in such a way that will deliver the greatest amount of happiness to the greatest amount of people. The work outlines how Mill defines and orders higher and lower forms of happiness as well as stressing the importance of holding an objective perspective when determining the ethical status of an event. A must-read for anyone with an interest in ethical inquiry.

About the author

John Stuart Mill, Classical economist, was born in 1806. His father was the Ricardian economist, James Mill. John Stuart Mill's writings on economics and philosophy were prodigious. His "Principles of Political Economy, With Some of Their Applications to Social Philosophy," published in 1848, was the leading economics textbook of the English-speaking world during the second half of the 19th century. Some of Mill's other works include "Considerations on Representative Government," "Auguste Comte and Positivism," "The Subjection of Women," and "Three Essays on Religion." John Mill died in 1873.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Utilitarianism; Maestro reprints
• Author: John Stuart Mill
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2010
• ISBN: 1453857524, 9781453857526
• Length: 70 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy; Philosophy / General; Philosophy / Movements / Utilitarianism