Utilitarianism : for and against

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. This Title Consists Of 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. An Outline Of A System Of Utilitarian Ethics / J.j.c. Smart: -- 1. Introductory -- 2. Act-utilitarianism And Rule-utilitarianism -- 3. Hedonistic And Non-hedonistic Utilitarianism -- 4. Average Happiness Versus Total Happiness -- 5. Negative Utilitarianism -- 6. Rightness And Wrongness Of Actions -- 7. The Place Of Rules In Act-utilitarianism -- 8. Simple Application Of Game-theory Technique -- 9. Utilitarianism And The Future -- 10. Utilitarianism And Justice -- A Critique Of Utilitarianism / Bernard Williams: -- I. Introductory -- 2. The Structure Of Consequentialism -- 3. Negative Responsibility : And Two Examples -- 4. Two Kinds Of Remoter Effect -- 5. Integrity -- 6. The Indirect Pursuit Of Utility -- 7. Social Choice. [by] J. J. C. Smart [and] Bernard Williams. Bibliography: P. [151]-155. A serious and controversial work in which the authors contribute essays from opposite points of view on utilitarian assumptions, arguments and ideals..

Two essays on utilitarianism, written from opposite points of view, by J. J. C. Smart and Bernard Williams.