bound in tree calf with the arms in gilt of Brasenose College, Oxford
MILL, John Stuart.
Utilitarianism.
London, Longmans, Green, and Co., 1879.
Mill had been exposed to utilitarianism at an early age by his father, the political economist James Mill, who was a close disciple of Bentham — as Mill recalled in his autobiography, published posthumously in 1873, the 'Benthamic standard of "the greatest happiness" was that which I had always been taught to apply' (Autobiography, p.64). That is, that 'actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness' (Utilitarianism, pp9-10).
Mill's own utilitarianism gradually took on a more rules-based character, the most recognisable of which was the harm principle that Mill introduced four-years earlier in his essay On Liberty. This declares that the 'only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant' (On Liberty, pp21-22).
Thus, even if a particular act of harming another individual might bring about an increase in happiness on a single occasion, it cannot be condoned by the set of rules which promotes the total greatest happiness of society as a whole.
Seventh edition; 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); title-page and contents f. attached to stub at gutter margin, occasional light spotting; contemporary tree calf gilt armorial binding for Brasenose College, Oxford, gilt arms of college to covers, gilt spine in 6 compartments, contrasting black morocco lettering-piece, joints skillfully restored, a little rubbed, very good;[4], 96pp.
Stock code 120751
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Utilitarianism.
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