Routledge Revivals: The Greatest Happiness Principle (1986): An Examination of Utilitarianism [Paperback]

Introduction  1. Happiness in the Bible  2. The Role of Happiness in Plato and Aristotle  3. Epicurus  4. Benthams Theory of Utility  5. John Rawls Non-Utilitarian Theory  6. A New Theory of Utility  Appendices  A. Utility and Justice  B: Henry Sidgwicks Utilitarian Contributions  C. Comments on Various Utilitarian Writers  D. Glimpses of a Utilitarian Future  E. Free Will and Determinism  F. Teleologism-Deontologism, Consequentialism-Non-Consequentialism  G. Why Happiness  Bibliography  Supplementary Materials:   Mills Theory of Utility   Mills Quality   Sidgwicks Ethics

First published in 1991, The Greatest Happiness Principle traces the history of the theory of utility, starting with the Bible, and running through Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus. It goes on to discuss the utilitarian theories of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in detail, commenting on the latters view of the Christianity of his day and his optimal socialist society. The book argues that the key theory of utility is fundamentally concerned with happiness, stating that discussions of happiness have been largely left out of discussions of utility, it also argues utility as a moral theory, posing the question ultimately, what is happiness?

First published in 1991, The Greatest Happiness Principle traces the history of the theory of utility, starting with the Bible, and running through Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus.