Utilitarianism and Other Essays [Paperback]

One of the most important nineteenth-century schools of thought,Utilitarianismpropounds the view that the value or rightness of an action rests in how well it promotes the welfare of those affected by it, aiming for 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number'. Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) was the movement's founder, as much a social reformer as a philosopher. His greatest interpreter, John Stuart Mill (1806-73), set out to humanize Bentham's pragmatic Utilitarianism by balancing the claims of reason and the imagination, individuality and social well-being in essays such as 'Bentham', 'Coleridge' and, above all,Utilitarianism. The works by Bentham and Mill collected in this volume show the creation and development of a system of ethics that has had an enduring influence on moral philosophy and legislative policy.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.Introduction
FromAn Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislationby Jeremy Bentham
FromA System of Logicby J. S. Mill
Bentham by J. S. Mill
Coleridge by J. S. Mill
Whewell on Moral Philosophy by J. S. Mill
Utilitarianismby J. S. Mill
Further Reading
IndexJohn Stuart Mill(1806 - 73) formed the Utilitarian Society which met to read and discuss essays. His works includeOn LibertyandPrinciples of Political Economy.

Jeremy Bentham(1748 - 1832) set out to theorize a simple and equitable legal system. The law of utility, for which is best remembered, states that the goodness oflH