紹介
In Defense of Utilitarianism, C.L. Sheng provides a more intensive study of the Unified Utilitarian Theory (UUT), which he proposed in his previous work A New Approach to Utilitarianism (Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1991). Sheng defends utilitarianism, particularly UUT, against the objections and attacks raised by nonutilitarians, showing it to be a viable ethical theory. He argues that utilitarianism is not person-neutral, is not indifferent to distribution, and is not a theory of replacement, utilitarian sacrifice, or trade-offs. By refuting the conception of absolute principles and adopting nonstrict rules, Sheng shows how UUT can avoid all objections to act-utilitarianism and rule-utilitarianism, making it a viable theory.
目次
Chapter 1 Preface and Acknowledgements Chapter 2 Introduction: The Development of Modern Utilitarianism
Difficulties with Utilitarianism
A Brief Description of the Unifies Utilitarian Theory
The Purpose and Scope of this Book Chapter 3 Concepts about Utility: Unification and Clarification of the Concepts of Utility
Definitions of Utility and Happiness
A Utilitarian General Theory of Value Utility as a Universal Measure Chapter 4 The Principle of Utility and the Flexible Nature of Morality: The Principle of Utility and Other Basic Principles
Problems with the Principle of Utility
Schism in Utilitarianism- the Good and the Right
A Classification of Situations of Moral Acti Chapter 5 Value Pluralism and End Monism: Intrinsic Value and Instrumental Value
On Argument from Regret
Value Pluralism Based on Nonreplaceability
End Monism and Principle Monism Chapter 6 A Decision-Theoretic Approach to Utilitarianism: Decision-Making and Its Applications
Decision-Making and Rationality
Feeling of Moral Satisfaction in Moral Decision-Making
A Mathematical Model of Moral Decision-Making Chapter 7 Moral Values and Their Quantitative Analysis: Moral Values
Value of the Consequences of a Moral Action
Value of the Feeling of Moral Satisfaction
Value of a Moral Action
Simplification of Utility Calculation Chapter 8 Societal Value: The Significance of Societal Value
Reasons for Adopting Societal Value
Determination of Societal Value
Moral Prescription and Moral Decision-Making
Quantitative Treatment of Societal Value and Coefficient of Morality Chapter 9 The Person-Centered Prerogative: Hard Line Utilitarianism and Soft Line Utilitarianism
Personal Actions versus Public Actions
Positive Duties versus Negative Duties
Positive Duties versus Charitable Actions
Moral Irrelevance
The Reference State Chapter 10 Refutation of Objections to Utilitarianism: A Rationale of Objections to Utilitarianism
Some Severe Counter-Examples Against Utilitarianism and My Responses to Them
Interpretation of Some Problems as Accidents
Preference of a State versus Change Chapter 11 Utilitarianism Bridges the Is/Ought Gap: The Is/Ought Gap, Naturalism, and Utilitarianism
The Teleological Nature of Human Beings
Rational Choice in Taking Nonmoral Actions
Extension from Nonmoral Actions to Moral Action
Explanation of Helevy's Chapter 12 UUT is a Viable Ethical Theory: The Crucial Difference among Various Ethical Theories
On the Strictness of Moral Rules
The Weaknesses of Rule-Utilitarianism
Differences Between UUT and Harsanyi's Rule-Utilitarianism
UUT is a Viable Ethical Theor Chapter 13 Bibliography Chapter 14 About the Author Chapter 15 Index
