Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is John Stuart Mill's classic exposition of the ethical theory that evaluates moral action according to its consequences for human happiness and well-being.

First published in 1863, the work sets out Mill's defence of utilitarian moral philosophy, refining and expanding upon the principles earlier advanced by Jeremy Bentham. Mill argues that actions are morally right insofar as they promote happiness, defined not merely as pleasure but as the cultivation of higher intellectual and moral capacities. He distinguishes qualitative differences in pleasures, asserting that moral judgment must account for depth, dignity, and long-term human flourishing.

Written with clarity and argumentative precision, Utilitarianism addresses common objections to consequentialist ethics while situating moral reasoning within social responsibility and collective welfare. The text has remained central to debates in moral philosophy, political theory, economics, and law. It continues to serve as a foundational work for students and readers seeking a rigorous introduction to nineteenth-century ethical thought and its lasting influence.