Utilitarianism

British philosopher John Stuart Mill approached ethical theory with a scientist's eye in his contributions to utilitarianism. Building upon the premise set forth by Jeremy Bentham, Mill subjected his own work to the scientific method and deep, incisive inquiry. Mill formulated utilitarianism on the "greatest-happiness principle." Under this principle, it is ethical only to act in such a way that will deliver the greatest amount of happiness to the greatest amount of people. The work outlines how Mill defines and orders higher and lower forms of happiness as well as stressing the importance of holding an objective perspective when determining the ethical status of an event. A must-read for anyone with an interest in ethical inquiry.

Roger Crisp is at St Anne's College, Oxford.