Synopsis

Is there a basis for morality and human freedom independent of religious dogma? This great question, which still perplexes us today, was passionately explored by John Stuart Mill in the mid 19th century... and the answers Mill found continue to intrigue.

One of Mill’s most influential essays, 1861’s “Utilitarianism” is essential reading for anyone hoping to understand modern ethics, concepts of justice, and personal philosophy. In casual but powerful language, Mill explains the simple yet profound idea that maximizing human happiness, on both a personal and societal scale, must be the ultimate goal of all our thoughts and acts. How do we define “happiness,” and how do we put this scheme into motion? Mill examines these questions and others in one of the most provocative examinations of human motivations ever written.

English philosopher and politician JOHN STUART MILL (1806–1873) was one of the foremost figure of Western intellectual thought in the late 19th century. He served as an administrator in the East Indian Company from 1823 to 1858, and as a member of parliament from 1865 to 1868. Among his essays on a wide range of political and social thought are Principles of Political Economy (1848), Considerations on Representative Government (1861), and The Subjection of Women (1869).

Booknews

<:st>A major contribution in the history of ethics, Mill's brief treatise on utilitarianism lays the theoretical foundation for this branch of philosophy and outlines its relationship to other ethical systems, the arguments in its favor, and its implications for concerns about justice. The appendix contains the text of Mill's 1868 speech on capital punishment. A introductory chapter describes Mill's place in the history of philosophy and his contribution to the study of ethics. Cited in There is no index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Biography

Colin Heydt is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of South Florida. He is the author of Rethinking Mill's Ethics: Character and Aesthetic Education (Continuum, 2006).