Product Description

Two 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. This is a revised version of Professor Smart’s famous essay ‘an outline of a system of utilitarian ethics’, first published in 1961 but long unobtainable. 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. Both authors are agreed on utilitarianism’s importance: it cuts across a number of different philosophical disputes and combines a systematic account of mata-ethical problems with a distinctive and substantive moral stand. It thus is, or involves, philosophy in both the traditional and the narrower, professional sense of the word, and is a key topic (often the first topic) in introductory philosophy courses. This book should also be of interest to welfare economists, political scientists and decision-theorists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #122900 in Books
• Published on: 1973-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 155 pages

Customer Reviews

A clear guide to Utilitarianism
I'm a student taking a course in political theory, and I regularly use this book. I don't know where I'd be without it!

Split into two halves, the first written by Smart argues the case for utilitarianism. Covering justic, rule and act utilitarianism, average and total happiness and hedonistic and non-hedonistic utilitarianism, it is a comprehensive introduction to the topic.

Williams's critique in the second half is a classic - he argues against utilitarianism for reasons of negative responsibility, Integrity and social choice. This is the book in which he gives the stories of Jim and the Indians and George the chemical scientist, both of which are now included in any discussion on utilitarianism.

This book is referred to everywhere. It's easy to read, insightful and it's not too big to be scared by! It's a must have reference for anyone writing, reading or talking about utilitarianism.