Equal Freedom and Utility

This book examines Spencer's, hitherto unappreciated, formative role in the development of liberal utilitarianism.

List of contents

Acknowledgements; Note on the text; Introduction; 1. Social evolution; 2. Social evolution and the moral psychology of equal freedom; 3. Equal freedom and moral rights; 4. Moral rights and utility; 5. The logical coherence of Spencer's liberal utilitarianism; 6. Spencer's ethical reasoning; 7. Land nationalization and property; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Summary

This rich and provocative study is the first to examine Herbert Spencer's critical role in the development of liberal utilitarian moral and political philosophy in the nineteenth century. While several scholars correctly see Mill as a founder of liberal utilitarianism, none have appreciated Spencer's equally important formative role.

Product details

• Authors: D. Weinstein, David Weinstein
• Assisted by: Quentin Skinner (Editor)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.11.2016
• EAN: 9780521622646
• ISBN: 978-0-521-62264-6
• No. of pages: 252
• Dimensions: 157 mm x 235 mm x 19 mm
• Weight: 565 g
• Series: Ideas in Context
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education