Utilitarianism - John Stuart Mill

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Résumé :
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....

Biographie:
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was an English philosopher, political economist, and social reformer, widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the nineteenth century. Educated under the rigorous guidance of his father, James Mill, he became a leading advocate of liberalism, individual liberty, and ethical reform. His major works include On Liberty, Utilitarianism, and The Subjection of Women. Mill's writing continues to shape modern discussions of ethics, political theory, and social responsibility....

Sommaire:
John Stuart Mill (20 May 1806 - 7 May 1873) was an English philosopher, political economist, Member of Parliament (MP) and civil servant. One of the most influential thinkers in the history of classical liberalism, he contributed widely to social theory, political theory, and political economy. Dubbed the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, he conceived of liberty as justifying the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state and social control.Mill was a proponent of utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by his predecessor Jeremy Bentham. He contributed to the investigation of scientific methodology, though his knowledge of the topic was based on the writings of others, notably William Whewell, John Herschel, and Auguste Comte, and research carried out for Mill by Alexander Bain. He engaged in written debate with Whewell.A member of the Liberal Party and author of the early feminist work The Subjection of Women, Mill was also the second Member of Parliament to call for women's suffrage after Henry Hunt in 1832...