Utilitarianism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek (PDF)

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Utilitarianism may well be the most influential secular ethical theory in the world today. It is also one of the most controversial. It clashes, or is widely thought to clash, with many conventional moral views, and with human rights when they are seen as inviolable. Would it, for example, be right to torture a suspected terrorist in order to prevent an attack that could kill and injure a large number of innocent people?In this Very Short Introduction Peter Singer and Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek provide an authoritative account of the nature of utilitarianism, from its nineteenth-century origins, to its justification and its varieties. Considering how utilitarians can respond to objections that are often regarded as devastating, they explore the utilitarian answer to the question of whether torture can ever be justified. They also discuss what it is that utilitarians should seek to maximize, payingspecial attention to the classical utilitarian view that only pleasure or happiness is of intrinsic value. Singer and de Lazari-Radek conclude by analysing the continuing importance of utilitarianism in the world, indicating how it is a force for new thinking on contemporary moral challenges like global poverty,the treatment of animals, climate change, reducing the risk of human extinction, end-of-life decisions for terminally-ill patients, and the shift towards assessing the success of government policies in terms of their impact on happiness.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This is a well-informed and well-reasoned defence of utilitarianism from two of the leading contemporary utilitarian philosophers. It discusses the standard objections to the theory and suggests answers to them. Written with the clarity and precision typical of any book with Singer’s name on it, this is a great read for anyone interested in ethics!

⭐A great introduction by Peter Singer and Katarzyna de Lazari with who Singer have written several articles before and one book called The Point of View of the Universe. A well written book about the main expousers of Utilitarianism (Betham, Mill, Sigwick) and others who have make great contributions (Joshua Green, for example). It is book to be read carefully since you will find both kind of arguments against and in favor.I was very pleased with the chapter “What we should maximize?”. Very illuminating. Preference Utilitarianism has reazonable objections so the Classical Utilitarianism has better prospects..

⭐An excellent introduction to Utilitarianism. It focuses not only on the historical origins, and the most famous exponents like Bentham and Mill, but on the arguments of modern Utilitarian philosophers.

⭐Thanks for the great book and over view of the main ideas. Peter is a rock star in my eyes

⭐I was satisfied.

⭐This is a very good introductory text on Utilitarianism. It covers the key figures, the key arguments for and the key applications and does not shy away from the challenges posed to the theory. I have bought it to use with A-Level Philosophy and will put passages to use there, but it would serve well too for undergraduates to open up the theory prior to undertaking the in depth reading signposted in the wider reading pages.

⭐seems very credible. but quite dense to read. I would suggest in the next version include some summary tables of the basic versions of utilitarianism, and/or summary key points in each chapter.

⭐The single best introduction to utilitarianism.

⭐A very accessible guide to the main tenets of utilitarianism as it has been conceived over the years since its inception. Covers the main thinkers and their various ways of viewing utilitarianism. I’m using the book as a starting place for further reading in J.S. Mill as part of my philosophy course. Definitely found this book a useful introduction to the main ideas, thinkers and the pros/cons of utilitarianist thinking. Written by one of the foremost utilitarian philosophers (P. Singer), the information is top notch.

⭐Lazari-Radek and Singer provide a good introduction to utilitarianism, focusing on the works of pioneers like Bentham, Stuart Mill, and Sidgwick, and still tracing its origins to ancient Chinese and Greek philosophy. Further developments on utilitarian ethics are also covered, bringing the debate tô 21st. Century. They also examine critics and problems as deep as possible, given the restrict limits of the book, and this makes it a bit difficult for neophytes. Still, it can be regarded as one of the best introductions to utilitarian ethics right along with Tim Mulgan’s book.

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