The Blackwell Guide to Mills Utilitarianism

This Blackwell Guide is an ideal commentary for students on Mill’s Utilitarianism . It is written by specialists at the cutting edge of philosophical scholarship in a style that is accessible to readers coming to Mill’s classic statement for the first time. The Guide contains the complete text of Utilitarianism and twelve related essays. Three of these are background essays, designed to acquaint the reader with Mill’s life, his philosophical influences, and the place of Utilitarianism in Mill’s overall philosophy. Five are analyses of the arguments in Utilitarianism , and include discussion of some of the most disputed points in interpretation. A final section of four essays addresses some contemporary debates within the utilitarian tradition. The last of these examines the implications of utilitarianism for practical ethics, taking as a case study the application of utilitarian theory to military or non–violent responses to terrorism.

Notes on Contributors. Introduction. Part I: The Background of Mill’s Utilitarianism . 1. Mill’s Life: Susan Leigh Anderson (University of Connecticut). 2. Bentham’s Utilitarianism: Gerald J. Postema (University of North Carolina). 3. The Place of Utilitarianism in Mill’s Philosophy: John Skorupski (University of St. Andrews). Part II: The Complete Text of Utilitarianism . I. General Remarks. II. What Utilitarianism Is. III. Of the Ultimate Sanction of the Principle of Utility. IV. Of What Sort of Proof the Principle of Utility is Susceptible. V. On the Connexion between Justice and Utility. Part III: Essays on the Text . 4. Mill’s Theory of Value: Wendy Donner (Carleton University, Ottawa). 5. Mill’s Theory of Morally Correct Action: Alan Fuchs (College of William and Mary). 6. Mill’s Theory of Sanctions: Dale E. Miller (Old Dominion University). 7. Mill’s “Proof” of the Principle of Utility: Henry R. West (Macalester College). 8 Mill’s Theory of Rights: L. W. Sumner (University of Toronto). Part IV: Influence and Contemporary Issues. 9. Contemporary Criticisms of Utilitarianism: A Response: William H. Shaw (San Jose State University). 10. The Scalar Approach to Utilitarianism: Alastair Norcross (Rice University). 11. Right, Wrong, and Rule–Consequentialism: Brad Hooker (University of Reading). 12. Some Implications of Utilitarianism for Practical Ethics: The Case Against the Military Response to Terrorism: Bart Gruzalski (Pacific Center for Sustainable Living). Index

Henry R. West is Professor of Philosophy at Macalester College, St Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of An Introduction to Mill’s Utilitarian Ethics (2004), Moral Philosophy: Classic Texts and Contemporary Problems (1977), and articles in journals and encyclopedias on John Stuart Mill and Utilitarianism.

“An important work … .Intended to be read by a general audience, the Guide contains the complete text of Utilitarianism, along with twelve related essays which inform the reader about Mill’s life, influences on his philosophies, and the position of Utilitarianism in Mill’s general philosophy. Five of these essays analyse arguments in Utilitarianism, highlighting the most disputed points; a final set of four essays brings concerns of the work to bear on contemporary concerns, including the final essay, by Bart Gruzalski, which applies utilitarian theory to non–violent or military responses to terrorism.” ( Year′s Work in English Studies , 2008)